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D  o  c  T  R  n 


(CONSTITUTION  AND   DISCIPLLNE, 


/ 

I  NlTKll  llRETIfiiEN  IN  CRRiST. 


iriRCLEVILLE,  OHIO. 

PRIMCD    AT   TIJK   CONI'-ICREInCC   OFPICK. 


O  R  I  G  I  \ 

OF  THE 

UNITED  BRETHREN  IN  CHRIST. 

In  ihe  eighteenth  century  it  pleased 
the  Lord  our  God  to  awaken  persons  in 
different  parts  of  the  world,  who  should 
raise  up  the  Christian  religion  fronn  its 
fallen  state,  and  preach  the  gospel  of 
Christ  crucified  in  its  purity. 

About  the  middle  of  the  said  century, 
the  Lord,  in  mercy,  remembered  the 
Germans  in  America,  who  living  scat- 
tered in  this  extensive  country,  had  but 
seldom  an  opportunity  to  hear  the  gos- 
pel of  a  crucified  Saviour  preached  to 
them  in  their  native  language. 

Among  others,  he  raised  William 
Otterbein  and  Martin  Boehm,  in  the 
state  of  Pennsylvania,  and  George  A. 
Geetino  in  the  state  of  Maryland, — 
armed  them  with  spirit,  grace  and 
strength,  to  labor  in  his  neglected  vine- 
(3) 


UNITED    ERETIIREK 

yaiu,  and  to  call^aniongihe  Gi3rmans  in 
America,  sinners  to  repentance.  These 
men  obeyed  the  call  of  their  Lord.anu 
Master;  iheir  labors  were  blest  ;^  they 
established  in  many  places,  excellent 
societies,  and  led  many  precious  souls 
to  Jesu3  Christ.  Their  sphere  of  aciion 
spread  more  and  nfioro,  so  that  they 
found  it  necessary  to  look  about  for 
more  fellow-laborers  to  engage  ia  l!ie 
vineyard  of  the  Lord,  for  the  harvest 
was  groat  and  the  laborers  but  few.  The 
Lord  called  others,  who  were  willing  to 
devote  tlieir  strength  to  his  service;  such, 
then,  were  accepted  by  one  or  other  of 
the  preachers  as  fellow-laborers. 

The  number  of  members  in  the  so- 
ciety in  different  parts  of  tlie  country, 
continued  to  increase  from  time  to  time; 
and  iho  gracious  work  of  reformation 
spread  tlirough  il;e  states  ol*  Pennsyl- 
vania, Maryland,  and  Virginia.  Sv^vojal 
great  meetings  were  appointed,  and  helti 
annually;  wiien,  on  such  oncasLons,  Oi- 
terhein  would    hold  pafticulnr  couver'^a- 


m«cii'Lim;.  6 

liuns  wiih  die  preacliers  tlicii  present, 
►  represent  to  ihcni  the  imponance  of  the 
ministry,  raid  the  necessity  of  their  ut- 
most endeavors  to  save  souls.  At  one 
of  these  meetings,  it  was  resolved  to 
hold  a  conference  with  all  the  preach- 
ers, in  order  to  take  into  consideration, 
how,  and  in  what  manner  they  might 
^  be  most  useful. 

The  first  Conference  was  held  in  the 
city  of    Baltimore,  Md.,  in  the    year  of 
our  Lord  1789.     The  following  preach- 
ers were  present,  viz: 
Wm.  Otterbein,       Adam  Lehman, 
Martin  Boehm,         John  Ernst, 
Geo.  a.  Geeting,     Henry  Weidner, 
Christian  Newcomer. 
The  second    Conference  was  held  in 
Paradise  township,   York    Co.,  Pa.,  at 
the  house  of  Br.  Spsngler,  in  the   year 
of    our    Lord    1791.     The    following 
preachers  were  present,  viz* 
VVbi.  Ottercein,         John  Ernst, 
Martin  Boehm,  J.  G.  Pfriaimer, 

(hm.  A.  GEETrNG,         JoTTN  Neidt^, 


b  UxNITED    BRElHREls 

CH''i\  Newcomer,         Benedict  Sander, 
Adam  Lehman. 

After  mature  deliberation  how  they 
might  labor  most  usefully  in  the  vine- 
yard of  the  Lord,  they  again  appointed 
such  as  fellow-laborers  whom  they  had 
cause  to  believe  had  experienced  true 
religion  in  their  own  souls. 

In  the  meantime,  the  number  of  mem- 
bers continued  to  increase,  and  the 
preachers  were  obliged  to  appoint  an 
Annual  Conference,  in  order  to  unite 
themselves  more  closely,  and  to  labor 
more  successfully  in  the  vineyard  of  the 
Lord;  for  some  had  been  Presbyterians 
or  German  Reformed,  some  Lutherans, 
and  others  Menonites.  They  accord- 
ingly appointed  a  Conference  to  be  held 
on  the  25ih  of  September,  1800,  in 
Frederick  Co.,  Md.,  at  the  house  of  Br. 
Frederick  Kemp.  The  following  preach- 
ers were  present,  viz: 
Wm  Otterbein,  Christian  Krum, 
Martin  Boehm  Henry  Krum, 

Geo.  a.  Geeting,        John  Hershey, 


Ch'n  Xewcomek,        Jacoi  Geisingek, 
Adam  Lehman,  Henry  Boehm, 

Abra'm  Tracksel,       Diet'k  Auraf, 
J.  G.  Pfroimer. 

There  they  united  iheniselves  into  a 
socieiy  which  bears  the  name,  "  UNI- 
TED BRETHREN  IN  CHRIST,"  and 
elected  VVm.  Otterbeix  and  Martin 
Boehm,  as  superiniendenis  or  bishops, 
and  agreed  that  each  of  them  should  be 
ai  liberty  as  to  the  mode  and  manner  of 
baptism,  to  perform  i:  according  to  his 
own  convictions. 

From  this  time,  the  society  increasing 
still  more  and  more,  preachers  were 
appointed  to  travel  regularly,  inasmuch 
as  the  number  of  preaching  places  could 
not  otherwise  be  attended  to;  and  the 
work  spread  itself  into  the  slates  of 
Ohio  and  Kentucky.  It  then  became 
necessary  to  appoint  a  Conference  in  the 
State  of  Ohio,  because  it  was  conceived 
loo  laborious  for  the  preachers  who  la- 
bored in  those  stales  to  travel,  annually, 
such  a  great  distance  to  the  Conference. 


b  UiSilEIi    lJUKl"iiUEX 

In  tho  meantime,  Broihers  BogIum 
and  Geeting  died,  and  brother  OUerbein 
dcGired  that  another  bishop  should  bo 
elected  (because  infirmity  and  old  ngc 
would  not  pernnii  him  to  superintend  any 
longer,)  who  should  take  charge  of  the 
society,  and  preserve  discipline  and 
order .  It  was  resolved  at  a  former  Con- 
ference, that  whenever  one  of  the  bish- 
ops died,  another  should  be  elected  in 
his  place:  accordingly  brother  Christian 
Newcomer  was  elected  bishop,  to  take 
charge  of  and  superintend  the  concerns 
of  the  society. 

The  want  of  a  Discipline  in  the  So- 
ciety had  long  been  deeply  felt,  and 
partial  attempts  having  been  made  at 
different  times,  it  was  resolved  at  tho 
Conference  held  in  the  state  of  Ohio, 
that  a  general  Conference  should  be  held 
in  order  to  accomplish  the  same,  in  a 
manner  not  derogatory  to  the  word  of 
God.  The  members  of  this  Conference 
were  to  be  elected  from  among  the 
preachors  in   the    djQ'erent  parts  of  the 


Dibcii'LiM:.  y 

country,  by  a  voto  of  ihe  sociuiy  in 
general.  The  following  brethren  were 
duly  elected,  viz: 

Cii'n  Newcomer,     Daniel  Treykr, 
Abr'm  Hiestand,     Geo.  Benedum, 
Andrew  Zeller,     Ajbr'm  Tkacksel, 
Christian  Berger,  Henry  G.  >Sp  vyth, 
Abraham  Myer,     I.  Nighswangeh, 
John  ScHNiDER,        Christian  Krum, 
PIexry  Kumi.er,      Jacob  Bowlus. 

The  Conference  convened  on  the  6ih 
of  June,  1815,  near  Mount  Pleasant, 
Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa.  After  mature 
deliberation,  they  presented  to  their 
brethren  a  Discipline,  containing  the 
doctrine  and  rules  of  the  church,  desi- 
ring that  they,  toj^ciher  with  the  word 
of  God,  should  be  strictly  observed. 

God  is  a  God  of  order,  but  where 
there  is  no  order  nor  church  Discipline, 
the  spirit  of  love  and  charity  will  be  lost. 

Therefore,  brethren,  we  beseech  you 
to  follow  the  example  of  our  Lord:  as  it 
is  wriiten,  "  Be  kindly  afl'ectioned  one 
f*  nnnihf'r  wi^h  bvntHorlv  \nvo,  in  honor 


lU  UNlTtD    DKtTHKEN 

preferring  one  another.  Let  ihe  mind 
be  in  you  which  was  in  Chrisi,  who 
took  upon  him  the  form  of  a  servant, 
humbled  himself,  and  became  obedient 
unto  death,  even  the  death  of  the  cross," 
that  by  his  grace  we  may  submit  our- 
selves one  to  another  in  the  fear  of  God. 
He  who  will  not  submit  is  in  want  ot 
humble  love.  Jesus  said,  "Whosoever 
will  be  chief  among  you,  let  him  be 
your  servant-  By  this  shall  all  men 
know  that  ye  are  my  disciples,  if  ye 
have  love  one  to  another;  and  whoso 
lovelh  not  liis  brother  abideih  in  death." 
Let  us  walk  in  newness  of  life,  that  the 
prayer  of  our  Lord  may  be  answered  in 
us:  that  we  may  be  one  in  him,  and 
that  he  may  give  us  the  glory  which  he 
gave  to  his  disciples,  that  we  may  be 
one  even  as  He  and  the  Father  are  one. 
Therefore,  beloved  brethren,  let  us 
strive  to  be  like-minded,  having  the 
same  love,  being  of  one  accord,  of  one 
mind.  Let  no  one  speak  or  think  evil 
of  his  brother,  but   pray    God  that   he 


UlSCII'LlMi;.  11 

may  grant  us  His  Spirit  and  an  earnest 
desire  to  lead  a  truly  devoted  life,  to 
the  honor  and  glory  of  his  Holy  nanrie: 
Aaien. 


SECTION    I. 

Confession  of  Faith. 

Ill  the  name  of  God  we  declare  and 
confess  befere  all  men,  that  we  believe 
in  the  only  true  God,  the  Father,  the 
Son  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  that  these 
three  are  One,  the  Father  in  the  Son, 
the  Son  in  the  Father,  and  the  Holy 
Ghost  equal  in  essence  or  beinjr  with 
both;  that  this  triune  God  created  the 
heavens  and  the  earth,  and  all  that  in 
them  is,  visible  as  well  as  invisible,  and 
furthermore  sustains,  governs,  protects 
and  supports  the  same. 

We  believe  in  Jesus  Christ;  that  He 
is  very  God  and  man;  that  he  became 
incarnate  by  the  power  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  in  the  virgin  Mary,  and  was  born 
of  her;  that  he  is  the  Saviour  and  Medi- 
ator of  the  v/hole  human  race,  if  they 
with  full  /ailh  in  liim,  accept  the  grace 
proflered  in  Jesus;  that  this  Jesus  suf- 
forp.(]  and  died    on   ihe  cross  for  us,  was 


bisciPLiNo.  13 

baried,  arose  agahi  ou  ilie  ihiid  day, 
ascended  into  heaven,  and  siueth  on  liio 
ligiii  haxid  of  God,  10  intercede  Torus; 
and  that^ho  shall  come  again  ai  iiie  lasi 
day.  10  judge  iho  quick  and  the  dead. 

V'/o  belu?ve  in  the  Holy  Giiost;  ihat 
he  is  equal  iii  being  wiih  the  Fuiher  and 
the  Sjn,  and  ihat  he  comroris  the  fuiih* 
lul  and  guides  them  into  ail  truih. 

\-/e  believe  in  a  holychristian  church, 
ii]c  communion  of  saints,  the  rosurric- 
lion  of  the  body,  and  lite  everlasting. 

We  believe  thai  the  Holy  Bible,  Old 
and  New  Testament,  is  the  word  of  God; 
ibal  it  contains  ihe  only  true  way  to  our 
salvation;  that  every  true  christian  is 
bound  to  acknowledge  and  receive  it 
with  tiio  inliuence  of  the  Spirit  of  God, 
as  the  only  rule  and  guide;  and  ihai 
without  faith  in  Jesus  Christ,  true  re- 
pentance, forgiveness  of  sins,  and  !fol- 
Inwing  after  Christ,  no  one  can  be  a 
tru<;  christian. 

We  also  beliovo  that  what  Im  contain- 
ed in  the    Holv   ^4!■'V!pturf'^^  to   wit:   the 


14  TT.NITED    BRETHREN 

fall  in  Adam  and  redemption  through 
Jesus  Christ,  shall  be  preached  through- 
out the  world. 

We  believe  that  the  ordinances,  viz: 
baptism  and  the  remembrance  of  the 
sufferings  and  death  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  are  to  be  in  use,  and  practiced 
by  all  christian  societies;  and  that  it  is 
incumbent  on  all  the  children  of  God, 
particularly  to  practice  them;  but  the 
manner  in  which,  ought  always  to  be 
left  to  the  judgment  and  understanding 
of  every  individaal.  Also,  the  example 
of  washing  feet,  is  left  to  the  judgement 
of  every  one,  to  practice  or  not;  but  it 
is  not  becoming  for  any  of  our  preachers 
or  members  to  traduce  any  of  their 
brethren  whose  judgment  and  under- 
standing in  this  respect  is  different  from 
their  own,  either  in  public  or  private. — 
Whosoever  shall  make  himself  guilty  in 
this  respect,  shall  be  considered  a  tra- 
ducer  of  his  brethren,  and  shall  be  an- 
swerable for  the  same. 


SECTION    II. 

CONSTITUTION. 

We,  the  members  nfthe  Church  of  the 
UNITED  BRETHREN  IN  CHRIST, 
in  the  name  of  God,  do,  for  the  perfect- 
ing of  the  saints,  for  the  work  of  the 
ministry,  for  the  edifying  of  the  body  of 
Christ,  as  well  as  to  produce  and  secure 
a  uniform  mode  of  action,  in  faith  and 
practice,  also  to  define  the  powers  and 
ihe  business  of  Quarterly,  Annual  and 
General  Conferences,  as  recognized  by 
this  church,  ordain  the  following  articles 
of  CONSTITUTION. 

ARTICLE    I, 

Section  1.  All  ecclesiastical  power 
herein  granted,  to  make  or  repeal  any 
rule  of  Discipline,  is  vested  in  a  Gen- 
eral Conference,  which  shall  consist  of 
Elders,  elected  by  the  members  in  every 
Conference  District  throughout  the  So- 
(15) 


Jb  UNITED    BRETHREN 

eiefcy;  provided,  liov/over,  such  Elders 
sliail  have  stood  in  that  capaniiy  ihreo 
years,  in  the  Conference  D'-uict  to 
which  they  helong. 

Sec.  2.  General  Conference  is  to  be 
l-eld  every  four  years;  the  Bishops  to 
bo  considered  nieiiibers.  and  presiding 
Oilicers. 

Sec.  3.  Each  Annual  Conference 
shall  place  before  the  society  the  names 
of  ail  the  Elders  eligiblo  to  rncmborship 
in  liie  General  Conference. 

ARTICLE  ir. 

Sect  ion  1 .  T  h  e  Ge  n  e  r  a  1  Con  f e  r  a  n  c  o 
sliall  define  the  boundaries  of  the  An- 
nual Conferences. 

K>ser-2.  The  General  Coi\[«^rcnco 
shall  at  evory  session,  elect  Bishops 
from  among  the  elders  thronghnnt  ilio 
chivrch,  wiio  hav*^  stood  six  voarFj  in 
ihnt  capacity. 

^ :  SfiCi  3.  The  business  of  each  Annnn! 
C.onff^reni^'^   ■^iir.H    be   done  f^trictlv  ;!<^- 


DISCIPLINE.  17 

cording  to  Discipline;  and  auy  Annual 
Conference  aciing  contrary  ihereunio, 
shall,  by  impeachment,  be  tried  by  the 
General  Conference. 

Sec.  4.  No  rule  or  ordinance  shall 
at  any  time  be  passed,  to  change  or  do 
away  the  Confession  of  faith  as  it  now 
stands,  nor  to  destroy  the  itinerant  plan. 

Sec.  5.  There  shall  no  rule  be  adop- 
ted that  will  infringe  upon  the  rights  of 
any  as  it  relates  to  the  mode  of  baptism, 
the  sacramentof  the  Lord's  supper,  or 
the  washing  of  feet. 

Sec.  6.  There  shall  be  no  rule  made 
that  will  deprive  local  preachers  of  their 
votes  in  the  Annual  Conferences  to 
which  they  severally  belong. 

Sec.  7.  There  shall  be  no  connec- 
tion with  secret  combinations,  nor  shall 
involuntary  servitude  be  tolerated  in 
any  way. 

Sec.  8.  The  right  of  appeal  shall  be 
inviolate. 

2 


18  UNITED    BRETHKEN 


ARTICLE  III. 


1'he  right,  title,  interest,  and  claim  of 
all  property,  whether  consisting  in  lots 
of  ground,  nneeting  houses,  legacies, 
bequests  or  donations  of  any  kind,  ob- 
tained by  purchase  or  otherwise,  by  any 
person  or  persons,  for  the  use,  benefit, 
and  behoof  of  the  church  of  the  United 
Brethren  in  Christ,  is  hereby  fully  re- 
cognized and  held  to  be  the  property  of 
the  Church  aforesaid. 

ARTICLE    IV. 

There   shall    be  no  alteration  of  the 
foregoing  Constitution,  unless  by  request 
of  two-thirds  of  the  whole  society. 
May  19,  1841. 

SECTION    III. 

General  Conference. 

Question  1.  Who  are  the  members 
of  the  General  Conference  ? 

See  Constitution, 


LiISLll'Lli\£.  19 

Ques.2.     How  are  they  to  be  elected? 

Ans.  1.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each 
Annual  Conference  to  appoint  a  conn- 
nfiiitee  of  three,  to  receive  and  count  the 
votes  and  immediately  apprise  those 
who  may  have  been  elected;  also  to 
furnish  each  preacher  in  charge  with  a 
list  of  the  names  of  all  the  Elders 
eligible. 

2.  The  preacher  in  charge  shall 
furnish  each  class-leader  or  steward,  in 
his  charge,  with  a  copy  of  the  above 
named  list,  at  least  ten  months  before 
the  sitting  of  General  Conference,  and 
the  election  to  be  held  invariably  within 
the  first  ten  days  of  November  next, 
preceding  the  silting  of  said  Confer- 
ence. 

3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  class 
leader  or  steward,  to  appoint  a  meeting 
of  the  members  of  his  class,  for  the 
purpose  of  eleoiing,  by  ballot  or  other- 
wise, their  delegates  to  represent  them 
in  General  Conference.  Should  any 
be  incapacitated  by  affliction  or  age  to 


20  UNITED    BRKTHREN 

attend  such  meetings,  ihey  may  send 
their  ballots,  containing  the  names  of 
the  candidates  of  their  choice,  and  their 
own  names  signed  on  the  back  of  their 
ballots. 

4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  class- 
leader  or  steward,  to  sign,  enclose,  and 
seal  each  bill  of  election,  and  keep  a 
correct  copy  of  the  same,  stating  what 
class  and  circuit, and  immediately  trans- 
mit it  (prepaid)  to  the  committee  ap- 
pointed by  the  Annual  Conference. 

5.  Said  committee  shall  make  a  list 
of  all  the  persons  voted  for,  and  of  the 
number  of  votes  for  each.  And  should  ' 
any  two  or  more  of  the  candidates  have 
an  equal  number  of  votes,  the  com- 
mittee shall  determine,  by  lot,  who  of 
them  is  elected.  They  shall  also  for- 
ward, by  the  first  of  January,  the  names 
of  those  elected,  to  the  Conference 
Printing  Establishing  for  publication; 
and  if  one  or  more  of  those  elected 
should  be  prevented,  by  death,  sickness, 
or  otherwise  from  attending,  it  shall  be 


DISCIPLINE.  21 

the  duty  of  the  tellers  to  notify  the  next 
highest  on  the  bill  to  take  his  place,  and 
so  descend  if  need  be  to  the  last  candi- 
date. All  bills  of  election  received  by 
the  tellers  after  the  first  day  of  January 
shall  not  be  counted. 

Ques.  3.  What  shall  be  the  number 
of  delegates  to  General  Conference  ? 

Ans.  Three  from  each  Annual  Con- 
ference district. 

Ques.  4.  How  shall  the  expenses  of 
the  delegates  to,the  General  Conference 
be  defrayed  ? 

Ans.  The  preacher  in  charge  shall 
lift  a  collection  on  his  first  round  after 
the  election,  at  each  class,  and  imme- 
diately transmit  the  money  thus  col- 
lected to  the  tellers,  whose  duty  it  shall 
be  to  convey  it  to  the  delegates  elected. 
Should  any  preacher  neglect  this  duty, 
he  shall  be  accountable  therefor  to  the 
next  Annual  Conference. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  Gen- 
eral Conference  to  examine  the  admin- 
istration of    each  Annual  Conference, 


22  UNITED    BRETHREN 

whether  it  has  strictly  observed  the 
rules  and  preserved  the  moral  and  doc- 
trinal principles  of  the  discipline  in  all 
its  transactions. 

In  the  election  of  all  officers  of 
the  General  Conference,  a  majority  of 
all  the  votes  shall  be  necessary  to  a 
choice. 

SECTION    IV. 

Annual  Conference. 

Ques.  1.  Who  are  the  meoibers  of 
this  Conference  ? 

Ans.  All  the  Elders  and  licentiate 
preachers,  who  have  been  duly  received 
by  the  Conference, 

Ques.  2.  In  what  manner  are  the 
transactions  of  a  Conference  to  be  con- 
ducted ? 

Ans.  1.  A  portion  of  scripture  shall 
be  read;  also  singing  and  prayer  each 
day,  at  the  opening  and  at  the  closing  of 
Conference. 


DISCIPLINE.  23 

2.  The  Conference  shall  elect  two 
Secretaries — one  German  and  one  Eng- 
lish, wherever  it  may  be  necessary. 
And  when  but  one  Bishop  is  present,  the 
Conference  shall  elect  a  chairman  by 
ballot  to  act  in  conjunction  with  the 
Bishop,  if  no  bishop  should  be  pres- 
ent, it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Annual 
Conference  to  elect  a  Bishop  pro  tem^ 
whose  official  acts  shall  be  volid. 

3.  The  preachers  shall  be  examined 
respecting  their  deportment  towards 
their  fellow-beings,  whether  their  con- 
duct in  life  be  blameless,  and  whether 
they  employ  as  much  time  as  practica- 
ble to  promote  the  kingdom  of  God;  ac- 
cording to  Titus,  1st  chap.,  7th  to  9ih 
verse,  and  2nd  Tim.,  2nd  chap.,  15ih 
verse;  and  shall  be  admonished  or  ad- 
vised as  the  case  may  be.  But  should 
all  admonition  or  advice  fail  in  any  case, 
then  the  name  of  the  delinquent  person 
shall  be  erased  from  the  mmutes  of  the 
Conference. 

4.  Should  any  member  of  the  An- 


5t  UNITED    BRF.THREN 

nnal  Conference  absent  himself  from 
the  session  of  conference  three  years  in 
succession,  without  giving  a  satisfactory 
reason  for  so  doing,  his  name  may  be 
erased  from  the  minuies  of  conference. 

5.  No  preacher  shall  be  permitted  to 
electioneer  favorably  to  his  own  elec- 
tion to  any  office  or  delegation  in  the 
church,  and  should  any  be  found  doing 
so,  he  shall  be  accountable  to  the  next 
Annual  Conference  of  which  he  is  a 
member,  to  be  dealt  with  according  to 
judgment  of  said  Conference. 

The  following  questions  shall  then  be 
asked: 

1.  Have  any  of  the  preachers  died 
during  the  last  year  ? 

2.  Who  are  the  candidates  for  the 
ministry  ? 

3.  Are  any  to  be  ordained  to  the 
office  of  Elder  ? 

4.  What  has  been  collected  for  con- 
tingent expenses  and  the  salary  of  trav- 
eling preachers? 

5.  What  has  been  done  for  missions? 


DISCIPLINE.  25 

6.  What  has  been  done  for  Sabbaih 
schools  ? 

7.  Has  reckoning  been  made  wiili 
the  traveling  preachers  ? 

8.  Have  ihey  received  their  dues  ? 

9.  Who  are  the  Presiding  Elders? 

10.  Where  are  the  preachers  sta- 
tioned this  year  ? 

11.  Where  shall  our  next  Confer- 
ence be  held  ? 

12.  Is  there  anything  else  to  be 
done  ? 

13.  Is  all  that  has  been  done  en- 
tered upon  record  ? 

SECTION    V. 

Reception  of  Preachers. 

Qi(€s.  1.  How  are  the  preachers 
received  1 

Ans.  Every  person  proposed  as  a 
preacher  shall  be  examined  by  the  Con- 
fer^nce,  or  a  select  committee;  and  the 
following  questions  shall  be  put  to  him, 
viz: 


2G  UNITED    BRfiTHBEN 

Have  you  known  God  in  Christ  Jesus 
to  be  a  sin-pardoning  God  ? 

Have  you  now  peace  with  God,  and 
is  the  love  of  God  shed  abroad  in  your 
heart  by  the  Holy  Spirit? 

Do  you  follow  after  holiness? 

Do  you  believe  the  Bible  to  be  the 
word  of  God;  and  that  therein  is  con- 
tained the  true  way  to  our  salvation? 

What  foundation  have  you  for  that 
belief? 

What  is  your  moiive  for  desiring  per- 
mission to  preach  the  gospel? 

Do  you  believe  in  the  doctrine  of  nat- 
ural, hereditary,  complete  depravity,  as 
held  by  ihe  church?  * 

What  is  your  knowledge  of  faith,  of 

1.  By  DEPRAVITY  is  meaut,  not  guilt  nor  liability 
to  punishment,  but  the  absence  of  holiness  which 
therefore  unfits  man  for  heaven.  2.  By  natural 
is  meaut  that  man  is  born  with  this  absence  of  ho- 
liness. 3  By  HEREDITARY  is  mcaut  that  this  un- 
holy state  is  inherited  from  Adam.  4.  By  com- 
plete is  not  meant  that  a  man  or  child  cannot  be- 
come more  unholy,  or  that  he  is  irrecoverably 
unholy, nor  that  he  is  a  mass  of  corruption,  but 
that  this  absence  of  holiness  must  be  predicated 
of  all  the  faculties  and  powers  of  the  soul. 


DISCIPLINE.  27 

repentance,  jusiificaiion,  sanciitication, 
and  reclempiion] 

Does  your  own  salvation,  and  the 
salvation  of  your  fellow  nnortals,  lie 
nearer  to  your  heart  than  all  other  things 
in  the  world? 

Can  you  suhject  yourself  to  the  coun- 
sel of  your  brethren? 

Are  you  satisfied  with  our  church 
government? 

Will  you  be  obedient  and  ready  to 
speak  or  hold  your  pea'.-e,  as  your  breth- 
ren may  think  expedient  ? 

Are  you  willing  as  much  as  is  in  your 
power,  to  assist  in  upholding  the  itine- 
rant plan,  and  supporting  the  same  as 
much  as  possible  ? 

^  None  can  be  admitted  without  hav- 
ing a  recommendation  from  the  Quar- 
terly Conference,  and  then  only  to  be 
received  on  probation;  but  if  Confer- 
ence should  on  examination,  find  that 
his  abilities  arc  insufficient  to  preach  the 
gospel  it  may  refer  him  back  to  the 
Quarterly    Conference  for  further    in- 


2B  UNITED    BRETHREN 

siruction,  or  reject  him,  as  the  case 
may  be. 

SECTION    VI. 

Course  of  Reading  and  Study, 

For  Liceniiate  Preachers,  upon  which 
they  shall  be  examined  by  ihe  several 
Annual  Conferences  to  which  they 
belong. 

FIRST    YEAR. BIBLE — DOCTRINES. 

Human  Depravity;  the  Atonement; 
Redempiion;  Repentance;  Justification 
by  Faith;  Regeneration;  Adoption;  the 
witness  ol'  the  Spirit;  Christian  Perfec- 
tion; Possibility  of  Final  Apostasy. 

Books. — Clarke's  Theology;  Fletch- 
ers's  Appeal;  Philosophy  of  the  Plan  of 
Salvation;  Upham*s  Life  of  Faith;  Bul- 
lion's, orsome  other  approved  Grammar; 
MitchePs,  orsome  o)her  approved  Geog- 
raphy— an  Essdy. 


DISCIPLINK.  29 

SECOND    YEAR, — BIBLE—DOCTRINES. 

Existence  and  Attributes  of  God; 
Trinity;  Divinity  and  Humanity  of  Christ; 
Personality  and  Deity  of  the  Holy 
Ghosi;  Immortality  of  the  Soul;  Resur- 
rection of  the  Body;  Future  General 
Judgment;  Eternal  Rewards  and  Pun* 
ishments. 

Books. — Watson's  Institutes;  Butler's 
Analogy;  Upham's  Interior  Life;  Dick's 
Future  State;Lut^i'  r  Lee  on  the  Immor- 
tality of  the  Soil;  English  Grammar 
continued — an  Essay. 

THIRD    TEAR. — BIBLE — iNSTITrXIONS. 

The  Christian  Sabbath;  the  Lord's 
Supper;  Christian  Baptism. 

Books. — Watson's  Institutes  contin- 
ued; Lowell  Lectures;  Upham's  Divine 
Union;  Jones'  Church  History;  History 
of  the  U.  B.  Church;  Tytler's  General 
History;  and  Coleman's  Geographical 
History  of  the  Bible — an  Essay. 


30  UMTED    BRETHREN 

In  addition  to  the  above,  Uie  student 
is  earnestly  advised  to  read  as  nnany  of 
the  following  works  as  possible,  upon 
which,  however,  he  shall  not  be  ex- 
amined: 

Powell  on  Apostolical  Succession; 
Fletcher's  Checks;  Wesley's  Sermons; 
Hallam's  Middle  Ages;  Prideaux  Connec- 
tions; Alison's  History  of  Europe;  Hun- 
ter's Sacred  Biography ;  Upham's  Mental 
Philosophy;  Wayland's  Moral  Science; 
Dymond's  Essay  on  Morality;  Parker's 
Logic;  Whatley's  Rhetoric;  Comstock's 
Natural  Philosophy;  Clarke's  Mental 
Discipline. 

Each  Annual  Conference  containing 
German  ministers,  shall  appoint  a  com- 
mittee on  a  course  of  German  reading, 
and  German  licentiate  ministers  shall 
be  examined  therein  according  to  the 
decision  of  said  conferences. 


D1SCU'LIK£.  31 

SECTION    VII. 

Organization  of  the  Itinerancy,  and  the 
Manner  of  Sustaining  it. 

Ques.     Who  are  the  Itineranis? 

^4715.1.  All  who  propose  ihemselveg 
without  reserve,  after  having  traveled 
one  year,  under  the  direction  of  the 
stationing  committee,  or  Presiding  El- 
der, and  have  been  received,  by  a  vote 
of  two  thirds  of  the  members  of  Con- 
ference, shall  be  considered  itinerants 
from  year  to  year,  and  may  be  employed 
under  the  direction  of  the  General  or 
Annual  Conferences. 

2.  The  Bishop  and  Presiding  Elders 
of  the  past  and  present  year,  toijether 
with  an  equal  nwmber  of  local  Elders 
or  preachers,  elected  by  the  Annual 
Conference,  shall  constitute  a  stationing 
committee,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to 
supply  all  the  circuits,  stations  and  mis- 
sions, as  far  as  practicable,  from  the 
above  list. 


32  UKITED    BRETHREN 

Provided,  however,  thai  if  any  of  the 
preachers  thus  stationed,  or  any  who 
may  not  receive  an  appointnnent,  are  dis- 
satisfied, they  shall  have  a  right  to  ap» 
peal  to  the  Annual  Conference,  if  two- 
thirds  grant  the  appeal;  the  decision  of 
which  shall  be  final;  and  the  report  of 
said  stationing  committee  shall  be  read 
at  least  twenty-four  hours  before  the 
adjournment  of  Conference. 

3.  Should  ihere  not  be  enough  Itin- 
erants to  fill  all  the  circuits,  stations  and 
missions,  such  vacancies  shall  be  sup- 
plied by  the  Presiding  Elders. 

Ques.  2.  What  shall  be  done  for  the 
support  of  itinerants? 

A71S.  1.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
preacher  in  charge,  in  conjunction  with 
the  stewards  of  the  quarterly  confer- 
ence, at  its  first  session  m  each  year,  to 
make  out  an  estimate  of  the  regular  ex- 
penses of  the  circuit  or  station,  and  ap- 
portion the  same  among  the  different 
appointments,  according  to  their  several 
abilities: 


DISCIPLINE.  33- 

Provided^  however,  should  any  Aa- 
nual  Conrerence  think  proper,  it  may 
adopt  any  other  measure. 

Ques.  3.  How  shall  the  presiding 
Elders  be  elected? 

Ans.  The  Annual  Conference  shall 
elect  thenn  by  ballot.  A  majority  of  the 
whole  number  of  votes  shall  be  neces- 
sary to  a  choice. 

Qucs.  4.  What  shall  be  done  for  the 
support  of  the  presiding  Elders? 

Ans.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  An- 
nual Conference  to  make  such  regula- 
tions for  the  support  of  the  presiding 
Elders  as  they  in  their  wisdom  may 
think  best  calculated  to  accomplish  the 
desired  end. 

Ques,  5.  How  shall  they  be  station- 
ed ? 

Ans.    By  the  Bishop  and  two  Elders? 

Ques.  6.  How  shall  the  Bishops* 
fields  of  labur  be  assigned  them? 

Ans.     By  the   General   Conference, 
and  in   the    fields    thus    assigned  ihem 
ihey  shall  devote  their  whole  time: 
3 


31  UK  IT  ED    BRETHREN 

Provided,  however,  tiiat  they  shall 
have  the  privilege  of  making  inierchan- 
geswhen  circumstances  make  it  neces- 
sary ;  the  same  not  being  inconsisieni 
with  the  wishes  of  the  respective  Annu- 
al Conferences. 

Ques.  1 ,  How  shall  their  support  be 
secured? 

Ans.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
preachers  in  charge  of  circuits  and  sta- 
tions, to  lift  a  collection  annually  at 
each  of  their  preaching  places,  for  the 
support  of  their  Bishops.  The  Bishops 
shall  annually  publish  through  the  Tel- 
escope, a  report  of  their  districts,  and 
the  amount  of  salary  received  from  the 
several  Annual  Conferences  of  their  dis- 
tricts. 

Ques.  8.  What  shall  be  done  to  reg- 
ulate the  Annual  Conferences  in  the  di- 
vision of  circuits  or  stations'? 

Alls.  A  circuit  or  station  shall  not 
consist  in  any  specific  number  of  mem- 
bers or  appointments,  but  when  the  An- 
nual Conference  thinks  it  able   to  sup- 


DlrCIPLlNE.  35 

port  a  minister,  it  may  be  recognized  as 
such. 

H  If  any  who  are  received  as  above 
slated,  shall  cease  to  travel  without  giv- 
ina[  satisfaction  to  the  Conference  of 
which  he  is  a  member,  he  shall  not  be 
entitled  to  any  suj-pori  from  the  funds 
belonging  to  said  Conferer.ce.  And  fur- 
thermore, he  shall  not  re-enter  the  itin- 
erancy without  the  consent  of  at  least 
two-thirds  of  Conference.  Yet  super- 
numerary and  superannuated  relations 
shall  be  duly  recognized  as  in  accord- 
ance with  this  section,  and  may  be  se- 
cured to  any  brother  having  just  claims 
thereto  by  a  vote  of  Conference. 

Should  a  traveling  preacher  or  Elder 
xlesire  to  leave  the  work  assigned  him, 
he  must  first  acquaint  the  presiding  El- 
der of  his  intention,  by  writing;  and 
should  any  one  leave  or  neglect  his  sta- 
tion, except  it  be  through  sickness  or 
other  unavoidable  circumstances,  he 
shall  be  accountable  to  the  next  Annual 
Conference,  and  shall  not  be  entitled  to 


36  UNITED    BRETHREN 

any   salary  for  ihe    time   ho  may  have 
traveled  during  ihe  year. 

SECTION    VIII. 

Constitution  of  the  Missionary  Society, 

I.  This  society  shall  be  called  the  "Home, 
Frontier  and  Foreign  Missionary  Society  of 
the  United  Brethren  in  Christ/'  and  is  or- 
ganized for  the  purpose  of  aiding  the  annual 
conferences  in  extending  their  missionary  la- 
bors throughout  the  country,  and  into  foreign 
and  heathen  lands. 

II.  The  payment  of  one  dollar  shall  con- 
stitute a  member  for  one  year — of  ten  dollars 
at  one  time  a  life  member — of  fifty  dollars  at 
one  time  a  life  director. 

III.  The  officers  of  this  society  shall  con- 
sist of  a  President,  three  Vice  Presidents, 
Secretary,  Treasurer,  and  six  Manaeers,  who 
together  shall  constitute  a  board  of  directors; 
and  shall  be  elected  every  four  years  by  the 
General  Coaference. 

IV.  The  President  stall  preside  at  all 
meetines  of  the  Board,  and  shall  have  power 
in  conjunction  with  the  Secretary  to  callspe- 
cinl  meetings  In  the  absence  of  the  Presi- 
dent, one  of  the  Vice  Presidents  shall  fill  his 
place. 


DISCIPLINE.  3*7 

V.  The  Secretary  shall  keep  a  correct  re- 
cord of  all  the  proceeflings  of  the  society — 
conduct  its  correspondence,  and  at  the  dis- 
cretion of  the  Board  devote  himself  exclu- 
sively to  the  interests  of  the  society.  He 
shall  keep  a  record  of  all  the  life  members, 
life  directors,  legacies,  etc.,  etc.  He  shall 
also  make  out,  and  publish  under  the  direc- 
tion of  Uie  Board,  an  annual  report  of  the 
whole  missionary  work.  His  salary  shall  be 
determined  by  the  Board  according  to  the 
discipline. 

VI.  The  Treasurer  shall  hold  the  funds  of 
the  society  subject  to  the  order  of  the  Board. 

VII.  The  Board  of  directors  shall  hold 
annual  meetings,  and  shall  have  authority  to 
make  by  laws  to  regulate  its  own  proceedings 
— to  appropriate  money  to  defray  incidental 
expenses — to  employ  and  pay  missionaries — 
to  open  new  fields,  and  to  publish  at  our  own 
press  such  mailer  as  the  necessities  of  the 
cause  may  demand. 

VIII.  Each  missionary  in  the  employ  of 
the  Board  shall  report  quarterly  to  the  Secre- 
tary the  condition  of  his  mission. 

IX.  Each  conference  shall  be  considered  a 
branch  of  this  sociely,  and  shall  elect  a  con- 
ference Treasurer  and  Secretary.  1.  'I'he 
branf;h  Treasurer  shall  hold  the  funds  de- 
signed for  the  Board  subject  to  its  order.  2* 
The  branch  Secretary  shall  keep  a  record  of 


38  U^'ITED    BKETIIIIEN 

the  proceedinss  of  the  annual  conference  ia 
relation  to  Home,  Frontier,  and  Foreign  mis- 
sions, separately,  and  reportthe  sane  annually 
to  the  Secretary  of  the  Board.  He  shall  also 
record  the  names  of  the  members,  life  mem- 
bers, and  life  directors,  and  shall  transmit  the 
names  of  life  members  and  life  directorsjto  the 
Secretary  of  the   Board. 

X.  Tiie  branch  societies,  or  individual 
members,  may  specify  to  what  particular  por- 
tion of  the  work  their  funds  shall  be  applied; 
providing,  however,  that  if  more  is  thus  desig- 
nated than  is  necessary  for  the  work  specified 
it  may  be  applied  to  some  other  work  as  the 
Board  shall  determine, 

XI.  Each  branch  society  shall  have  the 
exclusive  management  of  the  Home  missions 
within  its  own  limits. 

XII.  Treasurers  of  the  parent  Board  and 
of  the  branch  societies,  shall  give  approved 
security. 

XIII.  All  bequests  or  donations,  the  in- 
terest of  which  is  to  go  to  missionary  pur- 
poses, made  to  any  of  the  above  societies, 
shall  be  kept  sacred. 

SECTION   IX. 
Quarterly  Conference. 
Qiies.   1.     Who   are  the  members  of 
the  Quarterly  Conference? 


i>iscii'LiNE.  39 

Ana.  All  the  properly  recognized 
preachers,  exhoriers,  leaders,  siewards, 
and  irusiees  of  meeiing  and  parsonage 
houses,  who  reside  wiihin  ihe  bounds  of 
ihe  circuit  or  station, 

Ques.  2.  What  is  the  business  of  the 
Quarterly  Conference? 

Alls.  1 .  In  the  absence  of  the  Presi- 
ding Elder,  the  Quarterly  conference 
sli^ll  elect  a  presiding  Elder  pro  te?n, 
whose  official  acts  shall  be  valid. 

2.  To  elect  a  secretary,  whose  duty 
it  shall  be  to  keep  a  correct  record  of 
all  their  proceedings,  in  a  boo'c  provi- 
ded for  that  purpose,  in  which  the  names 
of  all  the  members,  composing  the  said 
conference  shall  be  entered 

3.  To  make  a  general,  or,  if  neces- 
sary, particular  inquiry  into  the  moral 
deportment  and  official  character  of  all 
its  members. 

4.  To  receive  and  try  all  appeals, 
references,  and  complaints,  that  may 
come  regularly  before  it,  but  no  mem- 
ber of  Quarterly   Conference   can    bo 


40  UNITED    BRETHREN 

suspended,  or  expelled,  prior  to  a  com- 
miuee  trial. 

5.  To  grant  license  to  exhort,  or 
preach,  to  such  as  may  have  been  rec- 
ommended by  at  least  two-thirds  of  the 
class  (in  each  case  a  recommendation 
mu-t  be  obtained)  of  which  they  may  be 
members;  provided  however,  that  none 
shall  receive  license  who  cannot  give 
satisfactory  evidence  of  their  call,  ex- 
perience, soundness  in  doctrine,  and  at- 
tachment to  our  church  and  government. 

6.  To  make  settlement  with  the 
stewards  and  traveling  preachers. 

7.  To  renew  the  license  of  exhorters, 
and  Quarterly  Conference  licensed 
preachers,  annually  if  they  be  found 
worthy. 

8.  After  such  licentiate  preachers 
have  stood  in  that  capacity  one  or  niore 
years,  the  Quarterly  Conference  may 
recommend  them  to  the  Annual  Con- 
ference. 

9.  All  preachers  recommended  to 
the  Annual  Conference,  and  not  receiv- 
ed, mav  sustain  their  former  relation. 


D[s:i?LI    NE.  41 

Ques.  3.  Hew  are  preachers  from 
other  societies  received? 

Ans.  Jfthey  come  to  us  with  cer- 
tificates ofgood  standing  in  the  society 
in  which  they  have  had  membership, 
and  give  satisfaction  to  the  Quarterly 
Conference  on  examination  on  the  doc- 
trine, discipline,  government  and  usages 
of  our  church,  then  the  Quarterly  Con- 
ference may  license  them  till  the  next 
Annual  Conference  ensuing  ;  after 
which,  if  their  conduct  and  doctrine  be 
in  accordance  with  the  Gospel  of  Christ, 
they  may  be  considered  as  preachers 
or  elders  who  stand  under  a  similar  li- 
cense among  us. 

Ques.  4.  What  directions  are  nec- 
essary in  case  of  appeals? 

Ans.  Any  exhorter  or  preacher,  dis- 
satisfied wiih  the  decision  of  a  quarterly 
Conference,  shall,  wiihin  thirty  days 
after  the  Quarterly  Conference,  notify 
the  secretary,  in  writing,  of  his  intention 
to  appeal,  together  wiih  his  reasons  for 
so  doing;  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 


42  U.NITED    BRETHREN 

secretary  to  take  or  send  a  certified  copy 
of  the  proceedings,  the  notification  and 
reasons  assigned,  to  the  Annual  Con- 
ference. 

Ques.  5.  Where  shall  our  next  Q'jar- 
terly  conference  be  held? 

li  shall  also  be  the  duty  of  the  Quar- 
terly conference  to  open  and  close  by 
singing  and  prayer. 

SECTIOxN  X. 

Official  Meetings  for  Stations. 

Ques.  1.  Who  are  the  members  of 
the  official  meeting? 

Avs.  1.  All  the  properly  recognized 
members  of  the  Quarterly  Conference, 

2.  The  preacher  in  charge  shall  bo 
the  president  of  the  meeting,  and  in  his 
absence,  one  of  the  members  shall  be 
elected  president ^ro  tern. 

Ques.  2.  What  is  the  business  of  iha 
official  meeting? 

Ans.  1.     The  president  shall  call  the 


DISCIPLINE.  43 

meeting  to  order,  and  begin  and  con- 
clude with  prayer. 

2.  To  elect  a  secretary  who  shall 
make  a  record  of  all  the  jDroceedings  of 
the  meeting". 

3.  To  receive  a  statement  from  each 
class  leader  in  reference  to  the  prosper- 
ity of  religion  in  his  class. 

•  4.  To  receive  all  monies  from  the 
stewards  that  have  been  collecied  since 
the  last  meeting,  and  pay  over  the  same 
to  the  preacher   in  charge. 

5.  This  body  shaU  meet  once  each 
month,  and  may  meet  ofiener  if  circum- 
stances require. 

6.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  official 
meeting  to  receive  all  reports  of  sub- 
scriptions, and  monies  collected  and  dis- 
bursed for  the  interests  of  the  station  ; 
and  all  persons  entrusted  with  subscrip- 
tions or  monies  shall  report  the  same  to 
the  meeting  as  soon  as  possible. 

7.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  official 
meeting  to  submit  its  doings  to  the 
Quarterly  Conference  for  exaniiuiuioa 
and  approval. 


44  UNITED    BRETHREN 

SECTION    XI. 

Members  in  General. 

Ques.  How  shall  members  be  taken 
into  our  society  1 

Ans.  VVhen  at  any  meeting  a  per- 
son makes  known  a  design  to  become  a 
member  of  our  society,  then  the  preach* 
er  present  shall  put  to  him  or  her,  the 
following  question: 

"  Have  you  experienced  the  pardon 
of  your  sins,  and  are  you  determined  by 
the  grace  of  God,  to  save  your  soul?" 

If  the  person  answers  the  question  in 
the  affirmative,  and  no  objections  be 
made  by  any  member,  on  account  of 
his  or  her  immoral  conduct,  then  the 
preacher  will  give  his  right  hand  to  such, 
as  a  member  of  our  society,  and  record 
his  or  her  name  on  the  class  book;  but 
so  long  as  any  person  cannot  answer  the 
above  question  in  the  affirmativp,  such 
person  ehalt  not  be  considered  in  lull 
membership,  and  shall  have  no  vote  in 


DISCIPLINE.  45 

the  society;  but  shall  be  recognized  as 
a  seeker,  under  the  waich-care  of  the 
society. 

If  any  person  thus  received  under  the 
vvaich-care  of  ihe  church  shall  cease  lo 
manilesi  a  desire  to  seek  the  Lord,  the 
preacher  in  charge,  by  the  consent  of 
the  class,  can  at  any  linne  publicly  drop 
■^he  name  of  such  seeker. 

Every  member  of  this  society  shall 
acknowledge  and  confess  that  he  be- 
lieves the  Bible  to  be,  and  contain  the 
holy  word  of  God;  that  he  will  hence- 
forth strive  with  all  his  heart,  to  seek 
his  eternal  welfare  in  Christ  Jesus;  and 
work  out  his  salvation  with  fear  and 
trembling,  to  the  end  that  he  may  be  en- 
abled \o  Jlee  from  the  ivrath  to  come. 

Every  member  shall  endeavor  to  lead 
a  good  life,  be  diligent  in  praver,  partic- 
ularly in  private,  and  for  his  own  edifi- 
caiion,io  be  present  at, and  attend,  when 
practicable  all  of  our  meetings  for  wor- 
ship. 

Heads  of  families  should  never  omit 


46  UNITED    BRETHREN 

to  pray  with  their  families,  morning  and 
evening,  and  set  them  a  good  example 
in  all  the  christian  virtues. 

Every  one  should  strive  to  walk  as  in 
the  presence  of  God;  also,  accustom 
himself  to  a  close  communion  v/iih  God 
in  all  his  employments,  and  never  speak 
evil  of  his  fellow  beings,  but  practice 
love  towards  friend  and  foe;  do  good  to 
the  poor,  and  endeavor  to  be  a  follower 
of  Jesus  Christ  indeed. 

Every  one  shall  keep  the  Sabbath  day 
holy,  as  required  in  the  word  of  God; 
neither  buy  nor  sell,  but  spend  the  same 
in  exercises  of  devotion,  in  reading  and 
hearing  the  word  of  God,  and  with  sing- 
ing spiritual  hymns  to  the  honor  and 
glory  of  God. 

It  is  the  duty  of  every  member  to  lead 
a  quiet,  peaceable  and  godl^  life  among 
men,  as  it  becomes  a  christian  to  live 
in  peace,  and  be  subject  to  the  higher  or 
ruling  powers,  as  the  word  of  God  re- 
quires. 

Every  member  of  our  society  should 


nsciPLiNE.  47 

willingly  3nd  freely  conlribuie  some- 
thing quarterly,  "as  the  Lord  hath  pros- 
pered hiin,"  1  Cor.,xvi:  2,  towards  the 
support  of  the  itinerant  preachers. 

When  it  is  known  by  any  of  our  class 
leaders,  that  tliere  are  poor  members 
among  them,  who  by  sickness,  accident, 
or  other  unavoidable  circumstances, 
have  been  brought  to  want,  it  shall  be 
the  duty  of  the  leader  in  charge,  to  go, 
or  appoint  one  to  wait  upon  the  class,  to 
ask  alms,  money,  clothing,  or  produce, 
as  the  circumstances  may  require;  and 
should  any  one  class  be  too  poor  to  alle- 
viate their  poor,  it  shall  then  be  made 
known  to  the  preacher  in  charge,  whose 
duty  it  shall  be  to  inform  the  different 
classes  on  his  circuit,  and  if  it  should  so 
happen  that  any  one  circuit  should  be 
insufficient  to  meet  the  wants  of  their 
poor,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  presi- 
ding Elder,  to  present  the  matter  on  the 
different  circuits  at  their  Quarterly  con- 
ference, so  that  the  unavoidably  poor  of 
our  church  may  be  considered  and  pro- 


48  UNITED    BRETHREN 

vided  for.      1  John,  iii:  17,  Ps.  xli:  1,  2. 

Mesolved,  That  it  be  the  advice  ofthe 
General  Conference,  that  all  districts, 
stations,  circuits  and  missions,  consist- 
ing of  classes  and  otherwise,  to  cheer- 
fully '  receive  the  preachers  appointed 
by  the  stationing  committee  ofthe  res- 
pective Annual  Conferences. 

The  foregoing  rules  are  drawn  up  for 
the  better  regulation  of  our  society ;  and 
we  believe  they  are  founded  in  the  word 
of  God,  and  incumbent  on  all  who  are 
members  of  our  church  to  observe. — 
Should  any  violate  or  habitually  neglect 
these  rules,  they  shall  be,  by  their  res- 
pective class-leaders,  admonished  to  re- 
formation; and  should  they  not  reform 
ihey  shall  be  suspended  or  expelled  as 
the  case  may  require. 

Admonition  on  Dress. —  Inasmuch 
as  the  Loud  has  commanded  us  not  to 
be  conformed  to  this  world,  (Rom.  12: 
2.)  to  lay  apart  all  filihiness,  and  super- 
fluity of  naughtiness,  (James  1:  21.) 
and  as  the  principles  of  the    Christian 


DISCIE'LIiNE.  40 

religion,  as  taiif^ht  both  by  the  precepts 
and  example  of  the  meek  and  adorable 
Saviour,  and  in  strict  and  perfect  accor- 
dance wiih  these  commandments. 

We  therefore  humbly  beseech  and 
admonish  the  members  of  our  church, 
boih  male  and  female,  lo  observe  these 
divine  precepts,  in  buying,  making,  and 
wearing  of  apparel,  as  also  the  cutting 
and  wearing  of  the  hair,  especially  our 
ministers  and  their  fmvdlies^  they  being 
ensamples  to  the  flock. 

SECTION    XII. 

Classes. 

1.  A  class  shall  consist  of  three  or 
more  members,  who  shall  annuaMy  elect 
one  member  from  their  own  or  some 
other  class,  who  shall  be  called  their 
leader. 

Ques.     What  is  the  duty  of  a  leader? 

Ans.  It  shall  be  his  duty  to  meet  his 
class  in  class  or  prayer  meeting,  at  least 
4 


50  UNITED    BKETHKEN 

once  a  week  to  speak  to  them  concern- 
ing the  spiritual  welfare  of  their  souls, 
apd  exhort  thenti  to  unity  and  love.  He 
snail  extend  the  freedom  of  our  prayer 
and  class-meetings  to  all  sincere  and 
well  disposed  persons  who  may  desire 
to  attend  them. 

II.  Every  class  shall  annually  elect 
one  who  shall  be  called  class-steward. 

Ques.  What  is  the  duty  of  a  stew- 
ard ? 

Ans .  1.  He  shall  collect  quarterly 
contributions  for  the  support  of  the  trav- 
eling preachers  ;  keep  an  accurate  ac- 
count thereof,  and  return  the  same  to 
each  Quarterly  Conference. 

2.  He  shall  be  accountable  to  the 
Quarterly  Conference  for  the  faithful 
discharge  of  his  duties  as, steward  of  his 
class. 

3.  It  shall  also  be  his  duty  to  pro- 
vide th'e  elements  for  Sacrament. 

Ques.     "What  are  the    duties   of  ex- 
horters  ? 
Ans.    To  make  appointments  wher- 


DlSCirLIKE.  61 

ever  it  is  nccepiablf  lo  the  people;  read 
portions  of  sacred  Scripture,  exhorting 
therefrom;  exhorting  saints,  that  they 
with  purpose  of  heart  should  cleave  to 
the  Lord,  and  sinners  to  flee  from  the 
wrath  10  come;  and  this  they  shall  do 
as  often  as  practicable. 

Ques.  What  shall  be  done  in  caso 
of  immoral  conduct  ? 

Ans.  The  class  shall  appoint  one  or 
more  to  visit  the  offending  brother  or 
member,  and  if  possible  tcclaim  him; 
but  if  unsuccessful,  he  or  she  shall  be 
tried  by  the  class  to  which  they  belong, 
or  a  select  number  thereof  chosen  by 
the  parties  concerned,  with  the  preacher 
in  charge  of  the  circuit  or  station,  who 
shall  be  chairman;  and,  if  found  guilty, 
the  accused  shall  be  expelled,  unless 
satisfaction  be  given  by  an  expression 
of  repentance  or  otherwise.  Butj  should 
any  member  be  dissatisfied  with  the  de- 
cision, an  appeal  may  be  had  to  the 
Quarterly  Conference,  by  giving  notice 
thereof  to  the  preacher  jn  charge.    la 


62  UNITED   BRETHREN 

suoh  case,  however,  the  same  persons 
shall  not  sit  in  judgment  on  the  same 
case.  Yet,  cases  may  happen,  where  it 
would  be  expedient  to  choose  a  com- 
mittee from  any  other  class,  or  classes, 
than  the  one  to  which  the  parties  belong; 
also,  an  elder  may  be  chosen  as  chair- 
man, should  the  preacher  in  charge 
deem  it  best  to  do  so. 

Ques.  What  shall  be  done  when 
members  trespass  against  each  other? 

Ans.  ''  If  thy  brother  shall  trespass 
against  thee,  go  and  tell  him  his  fault 
between  thee  and  him  alone;  if  he  shall 
hear  thee,  thou  hast  gained  thy  brother; 
but  if  he  will  not  hear  thee,  then  take 
with  thee  one  or  two  njore;  and  if  he 
shall  neglect  to  hear  them,  tell  it  unto 
the  church;  but  if  he  neglect  to  hear 
ihe  church,  let  him  be  unto  thee  as  a 
heathen  man  and  a  publican." 

Ques,  What  shall  be  done  in  case  of 
disputes  between  members  or  preachers? 

Ans.  The  preacherto  whom  it  shall 
be  known,  shall  inquire  into  the  circum- 


DISCIPLINE.  53 

Stances  of  ihe  case,  and  shall  recom- 
mend lo  the  contending  parties  a  refer- 
ence, consisting  of  one  arbiter  chosea 
by  the  plaintiff  and  another  by  the  de- 
fendant, and  a  third  by  these  two  ;  then 
these  three  are  to  decide. 

But,  if  either  be  dissatisfied  with  the 
decision,  such  nnay  have  a  right  to  an  ap- 
peal to  the  next  Quarterly  Conference 
for  a  second  arbitration,  where  each  par- 
ty shall  choose  two  arbiters,  and  the 
four  shall  choose  a  fifth;  a  decision  of 
the  majority  of  whom  shall  be  final. — 
Any  person  refusing  to  abide  by  this  de- 
cision, and  every  member  refusing,  in 
case  of  debt  or  dispute,  to  refer  the  mat- 
ter to  arbitration  when  recommended  to 
him  by  a  preacher  or  leader  ;  or  who 
shall  enter  into  a  lawsuit  with  another 
member  before  these  measures  are  taken 
shall  be  expelled  ;  except  when  the  case 
is  of  such  a  nature  as  to  require  and  jus- 
tify a  process  at  law,  as  executors  or  ad* 
ministrators,  or  when  a  member  is  in 
danger  of  suffering  an  unexpected  losg 
of  property. 


54  UNITED    BRETHREN 

Every  class  leafier  shall  keep  a  record 
of  ihe  proceediugs  of  church  trials, 
deaths,  expulsions  and  removals,  in  a 
book  provided  for  ihat  purpose  ;  and  it 
shall  be  his  duty  in  case  of  an  appeal, 
to  send  his  record  lo  the  Qjarierly  Con- 
ference. 

Any  person  wishing  to  obtain  license 
to  exhort  or  preach,  must  obtain  from 
the  class  of  which  he  is  a  member,  by  a 
vote  of  two-thirds  of  the  members,  a 
recommendation  in  writing,  signed  by 
the  leader  to  the  Quarterly  Conference 
of  his  circuit  or  station. 

SECTION    XIII. 

Preacliers'  Duties. 

Ques.  What  are  the  duties  of  preach- 
ers ? 

A71S.  To  preach  Christ  crucified 
whenever  they  can  get  hearers;  to  form 
classes;  to  converse  with  the  members 
on  the  spiritual  condition  of  their  souls; 
to  administer  relief;  to   strengthen  and 


DISCIPLINE.  55 

direct  those  that  are  afflicted  and  labor 
under  temptations;  to  animate  the  indo- 
lent; to  endeavor  as  much  as  possible 
to  edify  and  instruct  all  in  faith,  in  grace, 
and  in  the  knowledge  of  Jesus  Christ; 
to  visit  the  sick  on  all  occasions;  to 
strive  to  enforce  and  confirm  the  doc- 
trines they  deliver  by  a  well  ordered  and 
exemplary  life. 

Ques.  What  are  the  directions  given 
to  our  preachers? 

Ans.  1.  Be  diligent.  Never  trifle 
away  your  time;  always  be  serious.  Let 
your  motto  be  "  HOLINESS  UNTO 
THE  LORD !"  Avoid  all  lightness  and 
jesting  ;  converse  sparingly;  conduct 
5'ourself  prudently  with  women;  and 
demean  yourselt  in  all  respects  as  a 
true  christian. 

Be  at  all  times  averse  to  crediting  evil 
reports;  believe  evil  of  no  one  without 
good  evidence.  Put  the  best  construc- 
tion on  every  thing. 

2.  Speak  evil  of  no  one.  What- 
ever  may  be  your  thoughts,  keep  them 


56  UKITE  D      I-HPTFEEN 

within  your  own  brenst  till  you  can  tell 
the  person  concerned  what  you  think 
wrong  in  his  conduct. 

3.  Let  your  business  be  to  save  as 
many  souls  as  possible.  To  this  enn- 
ployment  give  yourselfup  wholly.  Visit 
those  who  need  it;  and  act  in  all  things, 
not  according  to  your  own  wills,  but  as 
sons  in  the  gospel.  For  as  such  it  be- 
comes your  duty  to  employ  your  time 
in  the  manner  prescribed,  in  preaching 
and  visiting  from  house  to  house,  in  in- 
struction and  prayer,  and  in  meditating 
on  the  word  of  God.  With  these  be 
occupied  until  our  Lord  cometh. 

No  preacher  shall  arbitrarily  form  a 
mission  or  circuit  within  the  embrace  of 
any  circuit,  or  presiding  Elder's  district. 

SECTION    XIV. 

Circuit  Preachers'  Duties. 

Ques.  What  are  the  duties  of  a  cir- 
cuit preacher  ? 


DISCIPLINE.  57 

Ans.  1 .  To  take  the  circuit  assigned 
him  willingly. 

2.  To  atcend  the  appointments  on 
his  circuit  regularly;  preach  to  the  peo- 
ple; and  hold  society  meetings. 

3.  The  preacher  in  charge  is  to  see 
that  there  are  suitable  persons  elected  in 
each  cIh«s  as  stewards,  leader  or  leaders. 

4.  To  read  the  following  three  sec- 
tions of  our  discipline  every  six  months, 
in  each  class,  viz  :  —  27ie  Confession  of 
Faith — of  Members  in  General —  Classes. 

5.  To  sit  as  president  on  the  trial  of 
members,  and  see  that  a  correct  account 
of  the  same  is  kept. 

6.  To  render  a  strict  account  of  the 
condition  of  his  circuit  to  each  quarterly 
Conference,  where  he  is  to  be  held  ac- 
countable for  the  neglect  of  any  regular 
appointment  on  his  circuit. 

7.  It  shall  be  his  duty  to  use  every 
laudable  effort  to  circulate  our  books  and 
church  periodicals;  collect  funds  due  the 
Telescope  Office,  and  use  due  dilligcnce 


58  UNITED    BRETHREN 

to  advance  the  interests  of  the  Confer- 
ence Printing  Establisliment. 

8.  It  shall  be  his  duty  to  keep  a  list 
of  all  the  subscribers  to  our  church  or- 
gans at  the  different  appointments  on 
his  circuit,  and  hand  it  over  to  his  suc- 
cessor at  the  Annual  Conference. 

9.  No  preacher  shall  dismiss  any 
appointment  from  his  circuit  without  the 
consent  of  Quarterly  Conference. 

10.  To  make  out  a  list  o(  all  the 
appointments  on  his  circuit,  and  present 
it  to  the  presiding  Elder  at  each  Annual 
Conference,  for  the  convenience  of  his 
successor. 

11.  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
preacher  in  charge  of  circuits,  and  sta- 
tions to  lift  a  collection  annually  at  each 
of  their  preaching  places  for  the  .support 
of  their  Bishops. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  all  stationed 
preachers  to  visit  every  family  under 
their  care,  at  least  once  every  quarter, 
and  pay  strict  attention  to  the  young 
niembers  of  their  charge. 


DISCIPLINE.  69 

It  shall  be  thoduty  of  circuit  preach- 
ers to  visit  as  much  as  possible. 

Resolved^  that  each  preacher,  whether 
local  or  itinerant,  make  use  of  every 
laudable  effort  to  enlarge  the  borders  of 
our  Zion,  in  spreading  scriptural  holi- 
ness over  these  lands, and  report  to  their 
respective  Annual  Conferences  the  num- 
ber of  new  appointtr.enis  obtained. 

SECTION    XV. 

Election  of  Elders. 

Ques.     How  is  an  Elder  constituted? 

Ans.  AAer  a  probation  of  three 
years,  a  preacher  may  be  presented  to 
the  yearly  conference  for  consideration; 
whereupon  the  Bishop  shall  propose  to 
Conference  the  following  questions: 

Ques.  1.  Is  he  blarueless  touching 
the  marriage  state? 

2.  Is  his  deportment  in  the  social 
circle  marked  with   watchful  sobriety? 

3.  Is  he  hospitable  towards  the  af- 
flicted and  needy? 


60  UNITED    'JRETHREN 

4.  Is  he  faithful  in  the  public  minis- 
tration of  God's  word  ? 

5.  Is  his  household  subject  to  rules 
of  piety  ? 

Should  the  above  questions  be  an- 
swered in  the  affirmative,  a  committee 
of  three  or  five  eldersshall  be  appointed, 
before  whom  the  candidate  shall  ap- 
pear, and  speak  uninterruptedly  in  an- 
swer to  the  following  questions,  viz: 

Ques.  1.  Upon  what  foundation  do 
vou  believe  the  Bible  to  be  the  word  of 
God? 

2.  How  do  you  prove  the  fall  of  man 
by  transgression? 

3.  How  do  you  prove  the  redemp- 
tion of  man  by  Jesus  Christ? 

4.  Do  you  believe  in  the  God-head 
of  Jesus  Christ? 

5.  What  foundation  have  you  for 
such  a  belief? 

6.  Do  you  believe  in  the  Holy  Ghost 
as  presented  in  our  Confession  o/  Faith? 

7.  Upon  what  evidence  do  you  be- 
lieve this? 


DISCIPLINE.  CI 

8.  Do  you  believe  in  future  ever- 
lasting punishmeni? 

It  shall  be  the  privilege  of  the  com- 
mittee in  the  close,  to  propose  any  ques- 
tion touchinfj  the  answers  given,  where- 
in their  understanding  may  not  have 
been  distinct.  It  shall  also  be  theirduty 
to  make  out,  sign  and  deliver  to  Confer- 
ence a  report  of  each  case  which  may 
have  bpen  before  them.  Whereupon, 
by  a  majority  of  the  votes  of  the  Elders 
of  Conference,  said  candidates  may  be 
elected  lo  ordination.  All  ordained 
elders  of  other  denominations,  who  may 
join  our  church  as  such,  must  pass  the 
above  examination,  but  they  may  be 
exempt  from  the  laying  on  of  hands. — 
Yet  circumstances  demanding  it,  a  li- 
centiate may  be  presented  to  Confer- 
ence for  ordination,  at  any  time  prior  to 
a  probation  of  three  years;  provided 
two-thirds  of  the  Elders  present  vote 
for  the  same. 


62  UNITED  BRETHREN 

SECTION    XVI. 

Ordination  of  Elders. 

I.  On  the  day  appointed  there  shall 
be  a  suitable  sermon  or  exhortation  de- 
livered. 

II.  After  their  names  have  been 
read  aloud,  the  Bishop  or  Elder  shall 
read  the  following  articles  to  all  who 
may  be  chosen  for  ordination: 

'•  An  Elder  must  be  blameless  as  the 
stev/ard  c)f  God,  not  self-willed,  not  soon 
angry,  not  given  to  wine  ;  no  striker, 
not  given  to  filthy  lucre;  but  a  lover  of 
hospitality,  a  lover  of  good  men,  sober, 
just,  holy,  temperate  ;  holding  fast  the 
faithful  word  as  he  hath  been  taught, 
that  he  may  be  able,  by  sound  doctrine, 
both  to  exhort  and  convince  the  gain- 
saycr/'—Tit.  i:  7-9. 

Ques.  Do  you  trust  that  you  are  in- 
wardly moved  by  the  Holy  Ghost  to 
take  upon  you  the  office  of  the  ministry, 
to  serve  God  iu  the  church  of  Christ  to 


DISeiPLLXE.  63 

the  honor  and  glory  of  his  holy  name? 

Alls,     I  trust  I  am. 

Oues.  Do  you  believe  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures, Old  and  New  Testannent? 

Alls.     I  do  believe  them. 

Quesf.  Will  you  apply  due  dilligence 
to  frame  and  fashion  your  life  according 
to  the  doctrines  of  Christ;  and  to  make 
yourself  as  much  as  in  you  lieth,  a 
wholesome  example  of  the  flock  of 
Chrisi? 

Ans.  I  will,  the  Lord  being  my 
helper. 

Ques.  Will  yon  obey  them  to  whom 
the  charge  and  government  over  you  is 
committed,  and  follow  their  godly  ad- 
monitions with  a  willing  and  ready 
mind  ? 

Ans.  I  will  endeavor  through  the 
grace  of  God  to  do  so. 

Then  •prayer  is  to  he  offered. 

[After  prayer  tne  Bishop  and  Eiders 
shall  lay  their  hands  upon  the  heads  of 
every  one  of  them,  and  say:] 

"  Tako  thou  authority  to  execute  iho 


64  UNITED  BRETHREN 

office  of  an  Elder  in  ihe  church  of  God, 
in  ihe  name  of  ihe  Father,  the  Son,  and 
the  Holy  Ghost:  Amen." 

[Hereupon  the  Bishop  or  Eider  shall 
deliver  to  every  one  of  them  ihe  Holy 
Bible,  saying:] 

"'Take  thou  authority  to  read  and 
preach  the  word  of  God  and  administer 
the  ordinances  in  the  church  of  Christ.'" 

[Then  the  Bishop  or  Elder  shall  pray. 
And  after  prayer  he  shall  read  from 
Luke  xii:  33-38:]  "Let  your  loins  be 
girded  about,  and  your  lights  burning, 
and  ye  3'ourselves  like  unto  men  that 
wait  for  their  Lord,  when  he  shall  re- 
turn from  the  wedding;  that  when  he 
Cometh  and  knockeih,  they  may  open 
unto  him  immediately.  Blessed  are 
those  servants  whom  the  Lord  when  he 
cometh,  shall  find  watching.  Verily,  I 
say  unto  you,  that  he  shall  gird  himself 
and  make  thou  sit  down  to  meat,  and 
will  come  forth  and  serve  them.  And 
if  lie  shall  come  in  the  second  watch  or 
confix  in  the  third  watch,  and  find  them 


DISCIPLINE.  65 

SO,  blessed  are  those  servants.'*  [After 
this,  the  foliovving  benediction  is  to  be 
pronounced.] 

The  peace  of  God  Iceep  your  hearts 
and  minds  in  the  Jcnoidedge  of  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


SECTION  XVII. 

Elders'  Duties. 

It  is  the  duty  of  an  Elder  to  preach  as 
often  as  he  can,  to  baptize,  to  adminis- 
ter the  Lord's  supper,  solemnize  mar- 
riages, to  perform  all  pans  of  divine  ser- 
vice, to  be  an  example  to  the  flock  of 
Christ,  by  imitating  his  moral  example  ; 
and  in  a  very  special  manner  it  shall  bo 
the  duty  of  an  Elder  to  cherish  and  en- 
courage young  ministers,  and  always  to 
be  looking  for  those  whom  God  has  cal- 
led to  preach,  and  advise  them  to  take 
up  the  cruss,  and  begin  the  work  without 
delay,  that  the  labor  of  this  gospel  har- 
vest may  be  faithfully  performed. 
5 


66  UNITED    BRETHKEN 

SECTION    XVIII. 

Presiding  Elders. 

Ques.  What  are  the  duties  of  a  pre* 
siding  Elder  ? 

Ans.  1.  To  travel  through  the  dis- 
trict appointed  him,  and  to  preach  as 
often  as  is  practicable. 

2.  He  shall  appoint  the  quarterly 
and  camp-nneeiings,  and  attend  them. 
He  shall  hold  quarterly  conferences, 
with  the  preachers,  exhorters,  leaders, 
stewards,  and  trustees,  and  administer 
the  ordinances  of  God's  house.  He 
shall  inquire  and  examine  whether  the 
preachers  do  their  duty,  preach  every 
Sabbath;  and  exhort  them  to  maintain 
discipline  and  order,  love  and  serious- 
ness in  the  society. 

3.  He  may  also  in  conjunction  with 
two  elders,  preachers,  exhorters  or  lead- 
ers, [one  from  each  circuit,]  change  the 
preachers  in  his  district. 

4.  Should  any  district  happen  to  be 
without  a  presiding  Elder,  information 


DiSCirLINE.  67 

shall  immediately  be  given  to  a  Bishop 
who  shall  appoin;  an  Elder  to  preside  in 
said  district  until  the  ensuing  Annual 
Conference. 

SECTION    XIX. 

Bishops  —  Election   and   Duties. 

Ques.  How  are  the  Bishops  to  be 
elected? 

A71S.  The  General  Conference  shall 
elect  them  for  the  term  of  four  years  by 
a  majority  of  the  whole  number  of  votes, 
10  be  at  the  option  of  conference  re- 
elected. The  Bishops  must  be  capable 
of  attending  the  conferences  appointed 
ihem,  otherwise  they  cannot  be  elected. 

Ques.  What  are  the  duties  of  Bish- 
ops? 

Ans.  1.  To  preside  over  the  Annual 
and  General  Conferences. 

2.  In  conjunction  with  the  Presiding 
Elders  of  the  past  and  present  year,  to- 
gether with  an  equal   number  of  elders 


68  UNITED    BRETHREN 

or  preachers,  they  may  fix  the  appoini- 
menis  of  the  traveling  preachers  for  the 
several  circuits,  stations  and  nriissions: 
Provided  that  they  do  not  allow  any 
itinerant  preacher  to  remain  in  the  same 
station  or  circuit  more  than  three  con- 
secutive years,  unless  particular  circum- 
stances require  it,  and  then  only  with 
consent  of  the  Conference. 

3.  The  Bishop  in  conjnction  with 
two  Elders  appointed  by  Conference, 
shall  point  out  the  districts  which  are  to 
be  traveled  by  the  Presiding  Elders. 

4.  It  is  incumbent  on  them  to  per- 
form the  rights  of  ordination. 

5.  When  a  Bishop  neglects  his  duty 
unless  through  unavoidable  circumstan- 
ces, he  cannot  be  suffered  to  retain  his 
office. 

6.  If  our  church  should  at  any  time 
be  destitute  of  a  Bishop,  a  Bishop  pro 
tern  shall  be  elected  from  among  the 
Elders  at  each  Annual  Conference. — 
Each  Bishop  pro  tern  shall  attend  the 
next  succeeding  Conference,  in  conjunc- 


DISCIPLINE.  69 

lion  with  the  Bishop  ^^ro  tern  ihere  elec- 
ted; that  a  regular  correspondence  be 
maintained  until  the  ensuing  General 
Conference. 

7.  It  shall  bo  the  duty  of  the  Bish- 
ops to  see  that  a  suitable  sermon  be  de- 
livered to  the  preachers  present  at  each 
Annual  Conference. 

SECTION    XX. 

Immoral  Conduct  of  Preachers. 

Ques.  What  shall  be  done  when  an 
Elder  or  Preacher  is  reported  guiliy  of 
immorality.? 

Ans.  When  an  Elder  or  Preacher  is 
charged  with  immoral  conduct,  the 
preacher  to  whom  it  is  known,  shall  take 
with  him  another  preacher,  exhorter  or 
leader,  and  examine  into  the  charge; 
but  as  the  apostle  saith,  1  Timothy,  5th 
chap.,  19th  verse,  "receive  not  an  accu- 
sation against  an  Elder,  but  before  two 
or  three  witnesses.  Should  it  appear 
he  is  justly  accused,  notice  thereof  shall 


70  UNITED    BRETHREN 

be  given  him,  and  a  lime  and  place  ap- 
pointed where  ihe  accusers  and  the  ac- 
cused shail  meet.  Then  three  Elders, 
or  one  Elder  and  two  Preachers  shall 
try  his  case,  which  are  to  be  appointed 
by  the  parties  concerned,  each  party 
appointing  one,  and  the  two  a  third; 
should  they  be  satisfied  that  the  accusa- 
tion is  sustained,  then  the  accused  shall 
hold  his  peace  till  the  Annual  Confer- 
ence where  he  shall  be  accountable. — 
If  the  accused  refuse  to  choose  his  com- 
mittee-man when  properly  notified,  ho 
shall  be  referred  to  the  annual  or  quar- 
terly conference,  where  his  case  shall 
be  considered.  But  if  the  Elder  be  a 
Bishop,  he  shall  be  tried  by  the  Annual 
Conference  within  whose  bounds  the 
cause  of  accusation  occurred.  But 
should  sufficient  satisfaction  be  given 
by  an  expression  of  repentance,  or  oth- 
erwise, he  may  he  retained.  But  should 
the  accused  Preacher.  Eider,  or  Bishop, 
refuse  to  attend,  after  having  been  no- 
tified of  the  lime  and  place  of  trial,  he 


DISCIPLINE.  71 

shall  be  suspended;  and  ihe  commiiiee 
shall  notify  him  to  appear  at  the  next 
Quarterly  or  Annual  Conference  to  an- 
swer to  the  charges  preferred  against 
him;  and  if  he  fail  to  attend,  [unavoid- 
able circumstances  excepted,]  he  shall 
be  suspended,  or  expelled  as  the  Con- 
ference may  think  proper. 

Also,  if  the  accused  preacher  or  elder 
be  a  member  of  the  annual  conference, 
in  that  case,  the  presiding  elder  of  the 
district,  upon  which  such  accused  preach* 
er  or  elder  lives,  or  of  the  adjoining  one, 
shall  act  as  chairman  on  the  trial  —  if 
he  be  a  member  of  the  quarterly  con- 
ference, in  that  case  the  preacher  in 
charge  of  the  circuit  upon  which  he 
lives  or  the  next  nearest,  shall  sit  chair- 
man in  trying  the  offense. 


Note. — Wiien  a  Preacher  or  Elder  is  expel- 
led from  one  Annual  Conference,  he  shall  not 
be  received  into  another  Conference  without 
the  consent  of  the  Coufereuce  from  which  he 
was  expelled. 


72  UNITED    BKETHRErf 

SECTION    XXI. 

Preacliers'  Salaries. 

1.  The  annual  allowance  of  a  trav- 
eling Bishop  or  Preacher,  if  he  has  no 
family,  shall  be  one  hundred  and  iwenty- 
five  dollars  and  his  iraveling  expenses; 
if  he  has  a  family,  it  shall  be  two  hun- 
dred and  fifty  dollars,  his  traveling  ex- 
penses, and  house  rent,  not  exceeding 
forty  dollars. 

2.  When  a  iraveling  preacher  has  a 
family  of  children,  the  quarterly  con- 
ference of  his  circuit,  is,  in  that  case  to 
grant  him  such  an  allowance,  in  addi- 
tion to  that  above  stated,  as,  in  their 
judgment,  will  supply  the  wants  of  his 
family. 

3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  a  circuit 
or  station,  when  a  preacher  is  sent  to 
them  by  Annual  Conference  to  move 
said  preacher  on  such  circuit  or  station, 
at  their  own  expense. 

Ques,  What  shall  be  done  for  the 
needy,  superannuated,  or  worn  out  tvav- 


DISCIPLINE.  73 

eling  preachers,  and  iheir   widows  and 
orphans  1 

Ans.  The  dividend  fallin_e  to  the  dif- 
ferent Conferences  from  the  Benevolent 
Fund,  shall  be  appropriated  to  their  sup- 
port; provided  it  is  strictly  observed  that 
the  Benevolent  Fund  money  shall  not 
be  appropriated  to  any  other  purpose. 

If  there  are  no  such  claimants  as  spec- 
ified above,  it  shall  be  retained  by  the 
Conference  Irom  year  to  year,  until 
such  cases  occur.  And  in  case  the  An- 
nual Conference,  shall,  upon  evidence 
received,  be  satisfied  there  are  such 
claimants,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  Con- 
ference to  appoint  a  committee,  one  of 
whom  shall  be  a  Bishop,  to  divide  said 
fund:  Provided,  however,  that  a  super- 
annuated preacher  shall  be  allowed  no 
more  annually  than  one  hundred  and 
fifty  dollars,  if  married;  and  no  more 
than  seventy-fivo  dolhrs  if  unmarried; 
widows  no  more  annually  than  seventy- 
five  dollars;  and    an   orphan   no   more 


74  UNITED    BRETHREN 

than  twenty,  while  under  twelve  years 
of  age. 

The  preacher  shall  account  to  the 
Annual  Conference  for  all  presents  re- 
ceived. 

SECTION    XXIII. 

Marriage  Ceremony. 

ADDRESS. 

We  are  gathered  together  in  the  sight 
of  God,  and  in  the  presence  of  these 
witnesses,  to  join  together  N.  and  M. 
as  husband  and  wife.  If  any  person 
present  knows  any  just  cause  or  imped- 
iment why  these  persons  should  not  ba 
joined  in  marriage,  let  the  same  now 
speak  or  forever  after  keep  silent. 

[If  no  impediment  be  alleged,  then 
shall  the  minister  say  unto  the  man  :] 

"  N,  will  thou  have  this  woman  to  be 
thy  wedded  wife  to  live  together  after 
God's  ordinance  ?  Wilt  thou  love,  hon- 
or and  comfort  her  in  sickness  and  in 
health,  in  prosperity  and  adversity;  aud 


DISCIPLINE.  75 

forsaking  all  others,  keep  ihee  only  unio 
her  so  long  as  ye  boih  shall  live  ?  If  so, 
then  answer,  '1  will.'  " 

[Then  shall  the  minister  say  to  the 
woman  :] 

"M,  wilt  thou  have  this  man  to  be  thy 
wedded  husband,  to  live  together  after 
God's  ordinance  1  Will  thou  love,  hon- 
or and  obey  him,  in  sickness,  and  in 
health,  in  prosperity  and  adversity;  and 
forsaking  all  others,  keep  thee  only  unto 
him  so  long  as  ye  both  shall  live  ?  If  so, 
then  answer,  'I  will."' 

[Then  the  minister  shall  require  them 
to  join  their  right  hands  and  say  :] 

Those  whom  God  hath  joined  toge 
er,  let  no  man  put  asunder. 

Inasmuch  as  N.  and  M.  have  consent 
ed  together  in  marriage,  and  have  wit- 
nessed the  same  before  God  and  these 
witnesses,  I  pronounce  them  husband 
and  wife,  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  the 
S;)n,  and  Holy  Ghost  :   Amen. 

Ques.  Who  of  our  ministers  are  per- 
mitted toBulemnize  marriage  ? 


n 


tiS  UNITED    BRETHREN 

Ans.  All  ordained  ministers,  and  al- 
so those  that  have  obtained  license  fronn 
an  Annual  Conference,  where  the  law 
of  the  State  makes  it  the  privilege  of 
every  regularly  licensed  minister  to  sol- 
emnize marriage,  and  none  are  permit- 
ted to  solemnize  marriage  with  Qurter- 
Jy  Conference  license. 

SECTION    XXIV. 

Necessity  of  Union  Among  Ourselves. 

Let  us  be  deeply  sensible  (from  what 
we  have  known,)  of  the  evil  of  a  divis- 
ion in  principle,  spirit  or  practice,  and 
of  the  dreadful  consequences  to  our- 
selves and  others.  If  we  are  united, 
what  can  stand  before  us  ?  If  we  are 
divided,  we  shall  injure  ourselves,  the 
work  of  God,  and  the  souls  of  our  peo- 
ple. 

What  can  be  done  in  order  to  a  clo- 
ser union  wiih  each  other  ? 

1.  Let  us  be  deeply  convinced  of 
absolute  necessity  of  it. 


DISi.IPLINJ'.  77 

I      2.     Pray    earnesily    for,    and    speak 
I  truly  and  iVeely  lo  each  other. 

3.  When  we  rneei  let  us  never  part 
without  prayer. 

4.  Take  great  care  not  to  despise 
each  other's  gifis. 

5.  Never  speak  lightly  of  each  oth- 
er. 

^^^  6.  Let  us  defend  each  other's  char- 
acter in  every  thing,  so  far  as  is  consist- 
ent with  truth. 

7.  Labor  in  honor,  each  preferring 
another  before  himself. 

8.  We  recommend  a  serious  exami- 
nation of  the  causes,  evils  and  cures  of 
heart  and  church  divisions. 

SECTION    XXV. 

Visiting  from  House  to  Honse,  and  En- 
forcing Practical  Religion. 

Ques.  How  can  we  further  assist 
those  under  our  care  ? 

^715.  1.  By  instructing  them  at  their 
own  houses,  which  is  necessary  to  pro- 


78  UNITE!)  BRETHREN 

mote  confidence  and  connmunion  with 
God  among  us,  to  wean  us  from  the  love 
of  the  world,  and  to  insure  us  to  a  lite 
of  heavenly  mindedness  ;  also  to  en- 
courage us  to  strive  afier  and  practice 
brotherly  love,  that  no  evil  thinking  or 
judging  of  one  another  be  found  among 
us  ;  and  lastly,  that  we  may  learn  to  do 
as  we  would  wish  to  be  done  by. 

2.  Every  preacher  should  make  it 
his  duty  to  instruct  the  people  on  every 
occasion,  both  public  and  private  ;  and 
exhort  them  to  be  diligent  in  all  good 
works  and  doctrine.  Until  this  be  done, 
and  that  in  sincerity,  we  shall,  upon  the 
whole,  be  of  but  little  use,  and  our  good 
shall  be  evil  spoken  of;  therefore  wher- 
ever we  may  be,  we  should  guard  against 
useless  and  idle  conversation. 

Undoubtedly  this  private  application 
of  visiiii^g  from  house  to  house,  and  ex- 
horting the  people,  is  found  or  implied 
in  these  solemn  words  of  the  Apostle  : 

"1  charge  thee,  therefore,  before  God, 
and  the   Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  shall 


W8CIPUNE.  79 

judge  ihe  quick  and  the  dead  at  his  ap* 
pearing,  and  his  kingdonn  ;  preach  the 
word  ;  be  instant  in  season,  out  of  sea- 
son ;  reprove,  rebuke,  exhort,  with  all 
long  sufferingand  doctrine. '"--2  Timothy, 
4:  1,  2, 

SECTION    XXVI. 

Instruction  of  Children. 

What  shall  be  done  to  benefit  the  ri 
sing  generation  ? 

Let  him  who  is  in  any  way  zealous 
for  God,  and  the  souls  of  men,  begin  the 
work  without  delay.  Wherever  children 
are  found,  meet  them,  as  often  as  possi- 
ble ;  speak  freely  with  them,  and  in* 
struct  them  diligently  ;  exhort  them  to 
be  good,  and  pray  with  them,  earnestly 
yet  simply  and  plainly,  that  they  may 
learn  to  know  their  Creator  and  Redeem- 
erin  tt|e  days  of  iheir  youth. 


BO  UNITED    BRETHREN 

SECTION  XXVII. 

Sabbath  Sclioolis. 

Qiies.  1.  What  shall  bo  done  for  the 
cause  of  Sabbaih-schools  ? 

A71S.  1.  It  shall  be  the  duly  of  each 
preacher  in  charge,  of  a  Circuit,  Station 
or  Mission,  to  preach  a  sermon  at  each 
appointment,  on  the  importance  of  Sab- 
bath-schools,— setting  forth  their  claims 
on  parents  and  children,  and  the  com- 
munity in  general. 

2.  It  shall  also  be  his  duty  to  use  all 
proper  means  to  organize  a  Sabbath- 
school  in  each  society  and  congregation 
in  his  charge,  as  soon  as  practicable. 

3.  Also  to  solicit  funds,  (or  see  that 
some  efficient  agent  be  appointed  to  do 
so,)  to  purchase  a  suitable  library  for 
each  school  under  his  care. 

Ques.  2.  How  shall  we  ascertain 
what  progress  we  are  making  in  this 
laudable  enterprise  ? 

Ans.  1.     It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each 


blbClPLlM-.  ol 

pireacheir  in  chnrge  to  repori  lu  liis  A.  C. 
the  number  ofSabbaih-schools  organized 
in  his  charge  during  ihe  year — ihe  nunn- 
ber  of  scholars  in  aitendance  at  each 
school — ihe  number  of  leacliers  em» 
ployed  in  each,  and  the  amount  of  money 
collected  for  Sabbath-school  purposes.— 
It  shall  also  be  the  duty  of  all  our 
preachers,  whether  traveling  or  local,  to 
use  their  influence  in  favor  of  this  im- 
portant enterprise. 

2.  We  would  furthermore  earnestly 
recommend  to  our  Church,  the  impor* 
tance  of  co-operation  with  the  ministry 
in  the  great  work  of  training  up  the 
youth  of  our  Church,  and  country,  in  the 
*way  they  should  go/-to  Subbaih-school, 
to  virtue,  and  to  Gou. 

SECTION    XXVIH, 

Doctrinal  Publicationa. 

No  one  of  our    preachers  or  layineii 
shall  become  the  author  of  any   doctri- 
0 


82  UNITED    BRETHREN 

nal  book  or  pamphlet,  in  a  printed  form, 
without  the  approbation  of  the  Annual 
Conference,  or  of  a  committee  chosen 
by  the  same.  And  if  any  preacher  or 
layman  violates  this  rule,  he  shall  be  ac- 
countable to  the  class,  or  the  Quarterly 
or  Annual  Conference,  as  the  case  may 
be. 

SECTION    XXIX. 

Oaths. 

We  believe  that  the  mode  of  testify- 
ing to  the  truth  when  required  so  to  do, 
in  a  legal  form,  by  way  of  affirmation, 
is  on  us  solemnly,  conscientiously,  and 
fully  binding  before  God  to  tell  the  truili, 
the  whole  truth  and  nothing  but  the 
truth. 

SECTION  xxx: 

Ardent   Spirits. 

The  distilling,  vending,  and  use  of  ar- 
dent spirits  as  a  beverage,  shall  be,  and  is 
hereby  forbidden  throughout  our  society; 
and  should  any  preacher,  exhorter,  lead- 
er, or  layman,  be  engaged  in  distilling, 


DISCIPLINE.  83 

vending,  or  using  ardent  spirits  as  a  bev- 
erage, he  shall  be  accountahle  to  the 
class,  the  Quarterly  or  Annual  Confer- 
ence to  which  he  belongs.  If  the  of- 
fending brother  be  an  exhorter,  leader 
or  layman,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
preacher  in  charge  to  admonish  him  in 
raeekneas.  If  he  be  a  preacher,  it  shall 
be  the  duty  of  the  presiding  officer  of  a 
Quarterly  or  Annual  Conference  to  ad- 
monish him  to  desist  from  his  unholy 
employment,  or  habit.  And  if  all  friend- 
ly admonitions  fail,  such  ofFending  per- 
son or  persons  shall  no  longer  be  con- 
sidered members  of  our  church,  but  shall 
be  expelled  from  the  same  ;  provided, 
however,  that  this  rule  shall  not  be  so 
construed  as  to  prevent  druggists  and 
others,  from  vending  or  using  it  for 
medicinal  or  mechanical  purposes. 

SECTION    XXXI. 

Free  Masonry. 

Free  Masonry  in  every  sense  of  the 
word  shall  be  totally  prohibited,  and 
there  shall  be  no  connection  with  secret 


84  UNITED    BRETHREN 

combinations,  (a  secret  society  is  one 
ivhose  initiatory  ceremony  or  bond  of 
unionis  a  secret)  and  any  member  found 
connected  with  such  a  society  shall  be  af- 
fectionately admonished,  twice  or  thrice, 
by  the  preacher  in  charge;  and  if  such 
member  does  not  desist  in  a  reasonable 
time,  he  shall  be  noiified  to  appear  be- 
fore the  tribunal  to  which  he  is  amen- 
able, and  it'  he  still  refuses  to  desist, 
shall  be  expelled  from  the  Church. 

SECTION  XXXII. 

Slavery. 

All  slavery,  in  every  sense  of  the 
word,  is  totally,  prohibited,  and  shall  in 
no  way  be  tolerated  in  our  Church. — 
Should  any  be  found  in  our  society,  who 
hold  slaves,  they  cannot  continue  as 
members  unless  they  do  personally  man- 
umit or  set  free  such  slaves. 

And  when  it  is  known  to  any  of  our 
ministers  in  charge  of  a  circuit,  station, 
or  mission,  that  any  of  its  members  hold 


DISCIPLINE.  85 

a  slave  or  slaves,  he  shall  admonish  such 
members  to  manumit  such  slave  or 
slaves  ;  and  if  such  persons  do  not  take 
measures  to  carry  out  the  discipline,  they 
shall  be  expelled  by  the  proper  author- 
ities of  the  Church  ;  and  any  minister 
refusing  to  attend  to  the  duties  above  de« 
scribed,  shall  be  dealt  with  by  the  au- 
thorities to  which  he  is  amenable. 

SECTION    XXXIII. 

"War. 
Resolved,  That  we  believe  the  spirit 
which  leads  men  to  voluntarily  engage 
in  national  warfare,  is  unholy  and  anti- 
chrisiian,  and  ought  not  to  be  tolerated 
by  us. 

SECTION    XXXIV. 

Rules  and  Regulations  of  our  Printing 
Establishment,  in  Dayton,  Ohio. 

Rule  1st.  The  above  establishment  shall  be 
called  the  "Piiuting  Establishmeut  of  the  Uaited 
Brethren  in  Christ. " 

Rule  2d.  The  Legislative  authority  herem 
granted  shall  be  vested"  in  the  General  Conference 
of  said  Church,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  make  or 


86  UNITED    BRETHREN 

amend  any  rules  as  iu  tlieii-  judgment  may  seem 
expedient. 

Rule  3d.  The  proceeds  of  said  establisliment 
over  and  above  contingent  expenses  shall  be  applied 
to  the  benefit  of  traveling,  and  worn  out  preachei's, 
and  theii*  widows  and  orphans.  This  division  to 
occur  equally,  and  annually,  among  the  different 
annual  conferences. 

Rule  4th.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  General  Con- 
ference to  elect  five  Trustees  out  of  as  many  annual 
conferences,  for  the  piiuting  establishment  and  also 
elect  and  employ  Editors  and  Publishing  Agents. 

Rule  5th.  Should  a  vacancy  occm-  in  the  Edito- 
rial or  Agency  department,  in  such  case  it  shall  be 
the  duty  of  the  Trustees  to  employ  some  other 
suitable  person,  or  persons,  to  fill  said  vacancy 
until  the  sitting  of  the  next  General  Conference. 

Rule  6th.  In  case  a  vacancy  should  occur  in 
the  Board  of  Trustees,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
Trustees  to  fill  such  vacancy  until  the  then  ensuing 
Gen.  Conference. 

Rule  7th.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Trustees 
to  make  settlement  with  the  Publishing  Agent  or 
Agents,  Treasurer,  and  Editors,  every  six  months; 
and  cause  the  Publishing  Agent,  or  Agents,  to 
make  and  publish  a  report  annually,  thi-ough  the 
columns  of  the  Religious  Telescope,  and  also  make 
a  special  report  to  the  Gen.  Conference. 

Rule  8th.  The  Editors  shall  strictly  perfonn  all 
the  duties  devolving  upon  them,  such  as  making 
selections  and  examining  manuscript  designed  for 
publication,  writing  editorial,  reading  proof,  etc. 

Rule  9th.     The  Trustees  shall  have  the  general 


DISCIPLINE.  87 

oversight  of  the  Editors,  and  Publishing  Agents 
and  see  that  they  do  their  duties,  and  if  they  do 
not,  they  may  suspeud  them  until  the  sitting  of  the 
next,  or  the  then  ensuing  General  Conference, 
which  shall  give  final  decitrion.  In  all  cases,  the 
officers  complained  of  shall  be  furnished  with  a 
copy  of  the  complaints,  in  writing,  and  shall  have 
an  opportunity  of  being  heard  in  explanation  or  de- 
fense, before  the  Board. 

Rule  10th.  The  Trustees,  as  book  committee 
are  authorized  to  examine,  purchase  and  publish, 
or  republish  books,  pamphlets  and  tracts. 

Rule  nth.  It  shaU  be  the  duty  of  the  Publish- 
ing Agent  to  take  charge  of  the  temporal  concerns 
of  the  office,  to  keep  all  the  books  pertaining  there- 
unto, to  furnish  at  the  discretion  of  the  Trustees, 
such  material  as  may  be  needed,  and  to  act  as  Gen- 
eral Book  Agent,  under  the  direction  of  the  Trustees 

Rule  l2Lh .  The  Trustees  shall  have  the  privilege' 
of  making  any  By-laws  which  may  seem  expedi- 
ent to  them,  for  the  better  regulation  of  the  minor 
concerns  of  the  office,  provided  they  do  not  vio- 
late any  part  of  the  foregoing  rules. 

SECTION     XXXV. 

Book  Agency. 
1.  There  may  be  one  or  more  book 
agents  appointed  in  each  Annual  Confer- 
ence District,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to 
lake  charge  of  all  books  sent  to  him  by 
the  publishing  Agent,  and  appertaining 


88  rXITED    BnETIIUEN 

to  ihe  Conference    Priming    Establish- 
ment.  in  Dayton,  Ohio. 

2.  Said  Agentshall  beaccountable  tothe 
Publishing  Ageni  of  said  Establishment. 

3.  It  shall  be  his  duty, so  far  as  may 
be  safe  or  expedient,  to  distribute  to  the 
circuit  preachers  for  the  use  of  the 
church  all  the  books  that  may  be  sent  to 
him  by  the  Publishing  Agent. 

4.  Said  Agentshall  keep  an  accurate 
account  of  all  the  distributions  of  books, 
and  collections  of  money  ;  for,  and  in 
behalf  of  said  establishment.  If  books 
are  wanted  in  his  district,  he  is  to  noti* 
fy  the  Publishing  Agent  by  letter  ;  and 
each  Annual  Conference  shall  be  re- 
sponsible for  all  the  money  or  books  in 
the  hands  of  the  agent  of  its  own  ap- 
pointing, and  on  default  or  neglect  of 
duty  on  the  part  of  a  district  agent,  the 
Conference  of  whicli  said  agent  is  a 
member,  shall  be  considered  bound  for 
any  sum  thus  delinquent,  wiih  interest, 
from  the  time  of  such  default  or  neglect 
of  duty.  Also,  any  district  agent,  when 
succeeded  by  another  in  ofTice,  reglect- 


DISCIPLINE.  89 

ing  10  transfer  all  books  in  his  hands  to 
his  successor,  and  forwarding  a  receipt 
thereof,  and  closing  up  his  own  account 
in  some  way  satisfactorily,  shall  be  con- 
sidered as  neglecting  his  duty  in  the 
sense  above  specified.  Said  agent  shall 
receive  a  fair  percentage,  as  fixed  by  the 
7>usiees,  for  his  services,  and  be  held 
responsible  for  all  distribution  of  books 
that  he  nnakes. 

5.  When  a  district  Agent  fails  to 
comply  with  the  requirements  of  disci- 
pline, the  Publishing  Agent  shall  inform 
the  Annual  Conference  of  which  he  is  a 
member  or  resident,of  such  delinquency. 

6.  Said  Agent  shall  make  settlement 
with  the  Publishing  x\gent,  by  letter,  or 
otherwise,  every  six  months,  and  present 
to  each  Annual  Conference  to  which  he 
is  accountable,  a  full  and  complete  re- 
port of  the  true  state  and  condition  of 
his  agency,  to  be  examined  and  acted 
upon  by  Conference. 

7.  Any  Annual  Conference,  howev- 
er, may  discontinue  the  district  agency 
within  its  bounds  aliogeiher. 


/ 


90  UNITED    BRETHREN 

SECTION    XXXVI. 

Order  to  be  Observed  in  Building 
Meeting  Houses. 

Ques.  Is  any  thing  advisable  in  re- 
gard to  the  building  of  Meeting  Houses? 

Ans.  Let  all  our  Meeting  Houses  be 
built  plain  and  neat,  with  free  seats,  and 
not  more  expensive  than  necessary. 

Ques.  To  whom  are  our  Meeting 
Houses,  and  the  premises  belonging  to 
them,  to  be  deeded  ? 

Ans.  To  a  Board  of  Trustees,  and 
their  successors  in  office,  in  trust,  as  the 
property  of  the  Church  of  the  United 
Brethren  in  Christ. 

Ques.  How  is  a  Board  of  Trustees 
to  be  constituted  ? 

Ans.  Whenever  it  is  contemplated 
by  a  society,  to  purchase  or  to  build  a 
Meeting  house,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  a 
leader  or  steward  of  such  Society  to 
make  it  known  to  the  Quarterly  Con- 
ference of  the  circuit  or  station  to  which 
he  belongs,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  ap- 
point a  judicious  board  of  Trustees,  of 


DISCIPLINE.  91 

not  less  than  three  in  number,  or  as  the 
law  of  the  state,  in  which  said  house  is 
to  be  built  may  direci  ;  provided  howev- 
er, that  none  be  required  to  serve  more 
than  four  years,  unless  indispensably 
necessary.  No  person  shall  be  consid- 
ered eligible  as  a  Trustee  for  any  of  our 
Meeting  Houses  who  is  not  a  regular 
member  of  our  church. 

Qties.  How  are  the  Trustees  to  pro- 
ceed in  building  a  house  ? 

Ans.  No  Society  shall  commence 
the  building  of  any  Meeting  House, 
without  first  getting  an  act  of  incorpo- 
ration where  the  law  of  the  state  requires 
it.  They  shall  form  an  estimate  of  the 
amount  necessary  to  procure  a  lot,  to 
build,  and  to  make  such  other  improve- 
ments as  may  be  conceived  necessary. 
And  they  shall  at  no  time  proceed  with 
the  building  of  a  house  of  worship,  be- 
yond the  means,  either  in  hand,  or  suffi- 
ciently secured,  so  as  to  avoid  involving 
our  houses  of  worship  any  way  in  debt; 
and  also  secure  a  lawful  title  for  the  lot 
upon  which  they  intend  to  build. 


7 


92  UNITED    BRETHREN 

To  hold  annual  meetings,  and  keep  a 
fair  and  regular  record  of  the  transac- 
tions of  their  Board,  in  a  book  provided 
for  that  purpose,  which  shall  at  all  tinies 
be  open  for  inspection  by  the  Quarterly 
Conference  of  said  Circuit  or  Station. 

To  take  charge  of  the  Meeting  House 
property,  furniture,  prennises,  burial 
grounds,  &c. 

Ques.  What  shall  be  done  when  a 
vacancy  or  vacancies  occur  in  the  Board 
of  Trustees  ? 

Ans.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Quar- 
terly Conference  to  appoint  a  suitable 
person  or  persons  to  fill  such  vacancies. 

Ques.  What  shall  be  done  when  any 
of  our  houses  are  vacant  ? 

Ans.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  a  Quar- 
terly Conference,  of  the  nearest  circuit, 
or  station  to  appoint  not  less  than  three 
suitable  persons  for  Trustees,  who  shall 
have  the  power  when  authorized  by  two 
thirds  of  the  nnembers  of  that  Confer- 
cncK,  to  lease,  rent  or  sell  such  nneeiing 
house,  and  the  appurtenances  be<!onging 


DISOU'LINE.  5^3 

10  ii  ;  and  lo  appropriate  the  money  ari- 
sing from  such  lease, rent  orsale,  to  what- 
ever purpose  said  Conference  may  direct. 

The  above  rules  to  be  observed  in 
purchasing  or  building  parsonage  houses. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  our  Presiding 
Elders,  as  soon  as  convenient,  to  appoint 
or  see  that  three  or  five  suitable  persons 
are  appointed  wiih  the  cons'.'nt  of  the 
Quarterly  Conference,  to  take  up  sub- 
scriptions to  build  or  purchase  parsonage 
houses  for  their  respective  Stations  or 
Circuits,  the  same  to  be  deeded  to  those 
three  or  five  Trustees,  and  their  succes- 
sors in  office,  for  the  use  of  the  Church  of 
the  United  Brethren  in  Christ .  We  com- 
mand that  all  our  parsonage  houses  be 
plain,  and  located  in  some  central  place. 

Note  : — The  Trustees  should  be  care- 
ful in  all  cases  to  have  deeds  of  convey- 
ance legally  executed,  and  recorded  in 
the  county  records  where  the  property 
is  ;  that  is,  to  have  the  deed  made  to 
them  and  their  successors  in  office,  in 
trust,  for  the  Church  of  the  United 
Brelhren  in    Christ,  and   to   erect   and 


94  UNITED  BRETHREN 

build   or  cause  to  be    built,  a  house  of 
worship  for  the  members  of  said  Church. 

SECTION  XXXVII. 

Charters. 

Whereas  the  laws  of  certain  States  re- 
quire Churches  and  institutions  to  be  in- 
corporated, in  order  to  be  recognized  ia 
law  : 

Therefore,  in  such  cases,  the  quarter- 
ly Conference  of  the  respective  circuits, 
stations,  and  missions,  shall  appoint  a 
competent  committee,  consistmg  of  three 
— who  shall  apply  to  the  proper  source, 
for  an  Act  of  Incorporation,  on  all  the 
Church  property  within  the  bounds  of 
such  circuits,  stations,  or  missions  ;  and 
at  the  last  Quarterly  Conference  of  each 
year  the  Presiding  Elder  shall  examine 
said  commiuee  in  reference  to  the  above 
subject. 

2.  When  lej^acies  are  bequeathed  to 
the  Church,  the  names  ol  the  presiding 
Bishops  should  be  inserted  in  the  will  of 
the  Testator,  to  be  Ui,der  the  control  of 
said  Bishops  and  their  successors  in  of. 


DISCIPLINE. 


95 


fice,  tobe  appropriated  to  the    purpose  . 
specified  by  the  donors. 

SECTION    XXXVIII. 

Certificates. 
When  members  of  our  society  move 
from  one  place  to  another,  they  shall 
obtain  a  certificate,  by  the  vote  of  a  ma- 
jority of  the  class  to  which  they  belong, 
signed  by  a  preacher,  or  leader,  except 
where  they  are  not  in  reach  of  a  class, 
in  which  case  any  of  our  preachers  may 
give  a  certificate  to  such  persons,  if  they 
are  known  to  be  in  good  standing. 

Form. 

"This  is  to  certify  that  A.  B.  is  a  member  of  gcod 
standing  in  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ,  at 

(Dates,  &c.) 

A  preacher  removing  from  one  Conference  dis- 
trict to  another,  shall,  when  he  applies  to  another 
Ccnference  for  admission,  produce  a  transfer  from 
the  Conference  to  which  he  formerly  belonged, 
signed  by  the  Presiding  Officer. 

(Foim  of  Transfer.) 

This  is  to  certify  that is  a  regular- 


or in  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in 

Christ,  «if Annual  Conference,  and  is  here- 
by transferred    to Annual  Conference   of 

siad  Church. 


INDEX 


Anient  spirits, 

Bishops,  Eleciion  and  duties  of, 
Book   Agency, 
Building  Meeting  Houses, 
Confession   of  Faith, 
Constitution, 

Constitution  of  Missionary  Society. 
Conference,  General,      -    '         • 
"  Annual, 

"  Quarterly, 

Course  of  reading. 
Classes, 

Children,  instruction  of, 
Charters, 
Certifif-ates, 
Doctrinal  Publications, 
Elders,  election  of, 

"        Duties  of, 

"         Ordination  of, 

"        Presiding, 
Free  Masonry, 

Itinerancy,  Organization   of. 
Immoral  conduct  of  Preachers 
Members  in  general. 
Marriage  ceremony, 
Orisin  of  the  Church, 
Oaths, 
Preachers,  reception  of, 

"  Duties, 

Preachers,  (Ciro  duties, 
Printing  Establishment, 
Salaries, 
Sabbath  Schools, 
Slavery, 

Union,  necessity  of. 
Visiting  from  house  to  house, 
War, 


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